Theology Philosophy and Religion Essay competition Summer 2025

We are thrilled to announce the results of the essay competition for 2025!

Thank you so much to all entrants into this year's competition - the standard was highly impressive and made for excellent reading during the judging process. Please find the results below, we will be getting in touch with schools regarding prize winners in due course.

Years 6-7

Commended:

  • Antonia Heathcoat, Gayhurst School
  • Milan Joshi, Gayhurst School
  • Samuel Frangi, Haberdashers’ Boys
  • George Lynch, Manchester Grammar School
  • Parth Gulati, Westminster Under School
  • Raphael Zechner, Westminster Under School
  • David Howard, Gayhurst School
  • Max Kolesnikov, Westminster Under School

Prize Winners:

  • Third Place: Simran Gill, St Augustine’s Priory, Ealing
  • Second Place: Zachariah Chung, Manchester Grammar School
  • First Place: Rayyan Kadri Hoosen, Westminster Under School

 

Years 8-9

Commended:

  • Vihaan Puri, Manchester Grammar School
  • Jackson Hannah, Thomas’s Putney Vale
  • Giorgietta Ungar, North London Collegiate
  • Freya Bowen, Ryde School
  • Ryan Patel, Haberdashers’ Boys
  • Alan Xue, Manchester Grammar School
  • Allegra Vidal Jovanovic, Notting Hill and Ealing High School
  • David Eke, Westminster Under School
  • Ava Rosenthal, St Augustine’s Priory, Ealing
  • Veer Gill, Haberdashers’ Boys

Prize Winners:

  • Third Place: Emily B, Stowe
  • Second Place: Stephanie Fischer-Ingles, Kimbolton School
  • First Place: Zain Ahmed, Manchester Grammar School

Prizes

Category 1: Year 6-7

First Prize: £40

Second Prize: £30

Third Prize: £20

Category 2: Year 8-9

First Prize: £60

Second Prize: £50

Third Prize: £40

This year we are very grateful to ISEB who have generously sponsored the prizes for this year’s TPR essay competition.

  • An ISRSA school may enter up to 4 candidates per age category
  • Only one essay per candidate may be entered
  • Essays must be scanned (preferably as a pdf) and sent to ISRSA by Friday 9th May, 2025
  • Each essay must have the candidate’s name, school and year group placed at the top
  • Teachers must ensure that their pupils have written their own work
  • Category 1: Year 6-7 essays must be no longer than 400 words
  • Category 2: Years 8-9 essays must be no longer than 800 words
  • By entering this competition, you give permission for us to post your pupils’ essays on our website.

Essay Questions

Category 1: Year 6-7

Essays must be no longer than 400 words.

Theology

‘Jesus told parables which were intended to be difficult to understand.’ Do you agree? Show that you have considered both sides of the argument.

Philosophy

‘The only aim of punishment should be to make the offender suffer for their crime.’ Do you agree? Show that you have considered both sides of the argument.

Religion

‘The purpose of religion is to achieve a reward after death.’ Do you agree? Show that you have considered both sides of the argument. Refer to at least two religions you have studied.

Category 2: Year 8-9

Essays must be no longer than 800 words.

Theology

‘Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18) does not present God in a good light.’ Do you agree? Show that you have considered both sides of the argument.

Philosophy

‘Mill’s version of utilitarianism is superior to Bentham’s version.’ Do you agree? Show that you have considered both sides of the argument.

Religion

‘Humans are by nature religious beings.’ Do you agree? Show that you have considered both sides of the argument. Refer to at least two religions you have studied.