Diva (Year 9 ) Editor's note: Year 9 student Diva, now in Year 11, submitted this essay to the annual Perse School Aristotelian Award essay competition. As the judges noted, "[We are] delighted to announce that Diva [was] shortlisted for the Arts/Humanities category for the Y9 Aristotelian Award competition we have run this academic year. … Continue reading In your view, what is the most influential written document and why?
Emilia (Year 12) Editor's note: Year 12 student Emilia has aspirations to become a journalist. She has written this short but informative article for publication in the GSAL Journal to help hone her journalistic writing skills. CPD Technology is advancing every day, with the use of AI and spread of ‘fake news’ within the media … Continue reading Legislating lies: What are the laws criminalising misinformation?
Rahul (Year 12) Editor's note: Year 12 student Rahul, now in Year 13, wrote this essay on free trade - little did he know how relevant it would be at the time of publication in May 2025, with Trump's tariffs and global trade arguably at a crossroads! CPD The impact of free trade on developing … Continue reading Does free trade actually benefit economies of developing nations?
Tatiana (Year 12) Editor's note: Year 12 student Tatiana submitted this essay into the prestigious Robert Walker Prize for Essays in Law by Trinity College, Cambridge. This essay demonstrates strong academic writing skills, particularly in its structured argumentation and engagement with legal precedent. The discussion effectively balances ethical concerns—such as privacy and autonomy—with practical enforcement … Continue reading What legal issues might arise from prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 2008?
Yuhan (Year 9 student) Editor’s note: This carefully researched and well-written essay was submitted to the annual Perse Aristotelian Award Essay Competition. CPD One major impact of the Industrial Revolution on Leeds is the quality of life led by residents. From when Maurice Paynel founded Leeds in 1207 [1] to today, the quality of life in Leeds, and … Continue reading What were the most important impacts of the Industrial Revolution on urban living conditions in Leeds?
Amelie (Year 9 Student) Editor's note: Year 9 student Amelie has written this excellent review of a recent year group visit to the theatre to watch a stage production of Animal Farm. CPD Manipulation, deception and inequality. These are all words that could be tied to Tatty Hennessy’s much anticipated stage adaption of George Orwell’s … Continue reading Animal Farm: Review
Anika (Year 11) Editor's note: Anika, in Year 11 at the time, entered this interesting essay into The Backseat Economist essay competition. As the judges note, the essay was, "...shortlisted to the top 10 entries in our 2023 Essay Competition for A-Level & IB students. The quality of submissions has been very high this year … Continue reading How did Covid exacerbate inequality?
Thabiso (Year 13) and Rory (Year 13) Editor's note: Two Year 13 students, Thabiso and Rory, have recently had articles published in The Duchy Vixen, a quarterly magazine of art and lit and local news, based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. CPD Rory's article entitled 'Anything but Chardonnay?' explores the ways in which climate change is … Continue reading ‘Anything but Chardonnay?’ & ‘Checkmates’
Afoluwaso (Year 12) Editor's note: "Mrs C is my English language teacher, and I recently did a timed practice for her. I was to write an editorial opinion piece expressing my thoughts on language in the workplace, one of our topics on the spec. Mrs C was very pleased with my work and suggested I … Continue reading Lost in translation: stop renaming the problem and start addressing it
Tanisi - Year 9 Student Editor's note: Year 9 student Tanisi recently attended a one-day science trip to the University of Cambridge. Tanisi reflects creatively here on the experience. CPD Our visit to Cambridge University exposed us to a fascinating intersection of science and culture. The university is a celebration of all disciplines of research, … Continue reading Why is Science important for society?
The GSAL Journal 