Henry takes first prize in Cambridge essay competition

Tonbridge boy Henry Goodall has been awarded first prize in a prestigious essay competition run by the University of Cambridge.

Henry (HS5) was chosen as the winner of Jesus College, Cambridge’s Lord Toulson Essay Prize in Law. The prize, open to Sixth Formers worldwide, goes to the student who can best demonstrate an outstanding understanding of, and ability in, the subject.

He will receive his certificate and £300 prize in a ceremony taking place at Jesus College in the summer. Henry is also applying to Jesus to study Law from 2020, after a gap year.

In his essay, he tackled the theme of the extent of liability and compensation for an unlawful act.

Lindsay McDonald, the school’s Oxbridge Coordinator, said: “Henry clearly has tremendous potential in Law, and was a member of the Tonbridge team which finished as runners-up in the national Mock Trial competition last year. To win this international competition is a tremendous achievement and Henry thoroughly deserves this success.”

Henry, pictured above and below, has represented the 1st XV at rugby and captained the squash team. He added: “It was a lovely surprise to find out I had won. I have an interest in the way that the constitution and the people interact, and this award makes me more determined than ever to pursue a career in Law.”

The Lord Toulson Essay Prize in Law is named in honour of the late Lord Roger Toulson, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. It is intended to give students a chance to engage with important legal debates and to explore the kind of issues that they would be exposed to in a Cambridge Law degree. 

Second and third prizes are also awarded, and Tonbridge boy Justin Chu (HS4) was one of ten candidates receiving an Honourable Mention certificate.