First year English Literature student, Jessica Johnson, has been awarded the prestigious Orwell Youth Prize.

Jessica entered the Youth Prize writing competition in response to this years theme, A Fair Society? She was able to submit any form of writing such as a short story, an essay a blog post or a play.

Each entry submitted was read by at least two assessors. Following this selection process, the final six winners were then chosen by this years judge writer, Caitlin Moran. On Friday 5th July, Pembroke College at Oxford University announced the winners for 2019.

Jessica's short story 'A Band Apart' was recognised among over a hundred entries. Her writing focused on meritocracy and the education system in a dystopian short story. The entry she submitted was chosen as a stand out piece and she was successfully awarded the Orwell Youth Prize in the Senior Category. You can read her work in full online here.

At Ashton Sixth Form College, Jessica studies English Literature, History and Sociology. She has shown tremendous talent and great initiative in not only entering the competition, but now taking home the prize. She is currently enrolled on the XL programme providing her with access to incredible opportunities.

For further information about the prize visit www.orwellfoundation.com

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Find out more about studying English at Ashton here.