World Class Lymm High School student wins Trinity College Cambridge literature prize
Jay Palombella, year 13 student at World Class Schools Quality Mark accredited Lymm High School, receives the Gould essay competition commendation from Trinity College Cambridge.
Jay submitted his entry for the Trinity College Gould Prize for Essays in English Literature earlier this year, with an essay on Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
Jay is absolutely thrilled to have achieved this commendation and intends to study for a degree in English Literature after leaving Lymm High next year.
He has been invited to visit Trinity College Cambridge later this month. “I am overjoyed that my essay has been commended. I really enjoyed writing and researching the essay, so it’s great to see that it was received so well“, said Jay.
The judges said: “We were impressed by the extent of the research that you had undertaken and the judicious use of criticism within the essay. We admired the clarity and expressiveness of your argument which you maintained throughout and the very strong close readings you offered. It was a great pleasure to read your essay.”
Things Fall Apart was the Nigerian novelist’s first novel and magnum opus. It occupies a pivotal place in African literature and remains the most widely studied, translated and read African novel.
“I know that the quality of the English teaching and support Jay has received at Lymm have both been a major factor in his decision to study English Literature”, said Jay’s mum Sarah. “I know we all remember influential teachers and I know that Jay has been very
influenced by the teaching and support he has received from the English department not just in his A’ Levels but also for his GCSEs.”
Following his commendation Jay’s teachers nominated him for the World Class Schools Quality Mark Character Award in October 2021.
