The Quotation Bank Essay Prize - 2026 winners announced!

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The Quotation Bank Essay Prize, in collaboration with University College, Oxford, is now in its second year and was an opportunity for Year 11 and Year 12 students to explore their own literary interests and to articulate their own critical views and opinions away from the boundaries of a school curriculum. 

We were looking for a pupil’s own personal responses and engagement with a text; whilst critical material can be used in their essay, we were interested in what pupils as readers have to say about their chosen text, and how the text has shaped their own ideas and opinions. 

This prize has grown out of The Quotation Bank’s focus on supporting pupils with their study of English, be it at school or at university, and in particular supporting pupils in their pursuit of the subject beyond what is studied in the classroom.

Entry

• There were two age categories for this essay prize – current Year 11 students and current Year 12 students. 
• In each age category there was a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awarded. 

The Essay Questions

This year, all three questions focused on a quotation taken from the preface of Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life, a text that explores the realities of life.

Pupils selected any one question and produced an essay of between 1500 to 2500 words in answer to the question.

• Their answer focused on one text they have read (poetry, prose or drama) that is not on their GCSE or A-Level syllabus, and that they are not using for coursework. 
• Their answer should focus closely on the ideas in the prompt quotation, and be a detailed exploration of their text choice to reinforce their own critical views.
• We are interested in their own personal views, so their answer should not include help from a teacher or any use of AI at any point. 

Questions:

a) “Three years ago I became anxious (from circumstances that need not be more fully alluded to) to employ myself in writing a work of fiction.”

With a detailed focus on any text you have read, explore the relationship between the writer and the reader.

b) “Living in Manchester, but with a deep relish and fond admiration for the country, my first thought was to find a frame-work for my story in some rural scene.”

With a detailed focus on any text you have read, explore the importance of setting.

c) “I have tried to write truthfully; and if my accounts agree or clash with any system, the agreement or disagreement is unintentional.”

With a detailed focus on any text you have read, how far do you think literature should present a truthful reality of the world around us?

The Prize

The prize for this essay competition was designed to support pupils in their continued study of English for as long as a pupil wants that support to continue. 

Although there was a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awarded, all three recipients in each age category received the prizes below:

• A The Quotation Bank Awards Day on Friday 13th March 2026, hosted by University College, Oxford, for all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place pupils in both age categories, and an accompanying parent/carer. During the day winners will:

• Attend a celebratory awards event in Univ Hall, including The Quotation Bank prizegiving and afternoon tea. 

• Receive a tour of University College, including the Library and the Shelley Memorial.

• Meet with staff and students from the college, including Dr Laura Varnam, to gain a better understanding of what it is like to study English and other subjects at Oxford. 

• Visit the Bodleian Library, and more. 

• A University Application Mentorship from The Quotation Bank support team. 

Each winner will receive support, guidance and mentorship throughout the rest of their school career in their pursuit of university study, including help with personal statements, choosing the right university and course for them, and with exploring wider subject support. They will be allocated a mentor from The Quotation Bank team who will support and guide them at key points during the year/s. This does not necessarily need to be for English at university (although we would love it if it was!)

• A complete set of The Quotation Bank Study and Revision Guides for their school.

• A years' free subscription to The Quotation Bank: Exam Revision App

Who are The Quotation Bank?

The Quotation Bank, an established company founded entirely by teachers, began as a series of GCSE and A-Level English Literature study and revision guides focused on texts across the English curriculum. That range of GCSE and A-Level guides has grown to 24 titles, and we now also provide digital support with the launch of our new app, Quotation Bank: Exam Revision, all in the pursuit of building a passion for the subject and supporting pupils and schools with their study of English Language and Literature. For more information, visit www.thequotationbank.co.uk.