British Philosophy Fortnight 2025

Student Competition winners

Many thanks to all those AQA and OCR students, plus their teachers and lecturers, who entered our competition.  School students had to say why Philosophy mattered to them in 75 words or fewer.  All entries were judged anonymously by a Panel from AQA, OCR, the Association of Philosophy Teachers and the British Philosophical Association.

Many thanks also to all the university students who entered.  They had to do the same in a 45 second video.  All entries were judged by the BPA.

We hope to run the same competition in 2026 and make it open to all students.

Many congratulations to our three winners and to those who have gained honourable mentions!

University Students

Winner: Aldo Ruggiero (King’s College, London)

Honourable mentions: Marie Bézard (University of Liverpool)

Morgan Majithia (University of York)

AQA Philosophy Students

Winner: Eliza

King Edward VI School, Stratford-Upon-Avon  

Philosophy matters to me because we are constantly frustrated by the lack of a correlation between our understanding of the world and the language available to us. That frustration is some fundamental part of the human condition, the authenticity of being isolated, the inherent humanity of loneliness. We can form beautiful connections by getting the gist. In philosophy, we try to get the gist. I like that about it.

Honourable Mentions: Shrimayi Arunkumar, Wallington High School for Girls 

Alex Fitzpatrick, Bullers Wood School, Chislehurst

Maya Luckhurst, The Warwick School, Warwick

Sam Mallalieu, Wollaston School, Northamptonshire

Allanah Modis, Stephen Perse School, Cambridge

OCR Religious Studies

Winner: William Martin-Jenkins

Harrow School

Philosophy matters to me because it changes the way I live. Ethical dilemmas, political debates, news stories, or simple decisions: philosophy informs me – and all those around me. Philosophy gives me the tools required to engage in wise, critical thinking. Philosophy is not just about abstract absurdities; it is about making the right choices to guide everyone through life. Just a simple question like “is there free will?”, unravels into exhilarating, infuriating, yet rewarding, discussions.

Honourable Mentions: Izzy, St. Catherine’s School, Twickenham

Martha, St. Catherine’s School, Twickenham

Tia, St. Helen’s School, Northwood

Georgina Songhurst, St. Catherine’s School, Bramley

Sophia Thomas, London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham