The Sir Martin Gilbert History Prize

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS OF THE SIR MARTIN GILBERT HISTORY PRIZE 2024!

Years 7-9 winner: Nico Lagarejos – Emanuel School

Years 7-9 runner up: Zofia Tisdall – Churston Ferrers Grammar School

Years 10-11 winner: Ignacio Sanvicens Zilles – Oakgrove School

Years 10-11 runner up: Shaun Simmons – King’s Leadership Academy Bolton

Years 12-13 winner: Natalie Wang – Pate’s Grammar School

Years 12-13 runner up: Isabelle O’Callaghan – Emanuel School

We were thrilled to welcome our winners to a special evening on 19 June 2024, where they were presented with their certificates, cheques and a book by Sir Martin Gilbert. The event took place at UCL and was followed by a talk by Professor Sarah Casteel, ‘Black and Jewish Lives in a Nazi Internment Camp: The Art of Josef Nassy and Max Brandel’.

Top left: Isabelle O’Callaghan with Professor Sarah Casteel and Dr Rob Thompson, one of the external judges of the prize. Top right: Ignacio Sanvicens Zilles and Shaun Simmons with Professor Casteel and Dr Thompson. Left: Nico Lagarejos and Sofia Tisdall with Professor Casteel, Dr Thompson and Professor Shirli Gilbert (Director of the Sir Martin Gilbert Learning Centre).

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Our 2024 competition is now closed, but you can view the full details below. We will be announcing the details of our 2025 competition in the autumn.

The essay question for the 2024 competition was:

Were Jewish refugees welcomed to Britain during the Nazi period? 

The aim of the competition is to encourage students to engage in historical debate, using a range of sources to support their arguments. Essays should be between 1,500- 2,000 words. 

The essay competition is open to UK schools, for secondary school students in Years 7–13. Only one entry will be accepted per student. Entries must be submitted by 31 January 2024, and the winning entry will be announced before the end of March 2024.

There will be first prizes of £150 awarded in the following categories: Years 7, 8, 9; Years 10, 11; Years 12, 13. A runner-up prize of £75 will be awarded in each of the three categories. Awards will be presented at a prizegiving ceremony, details will be communicated to winners in due course. 

There are a range of resources available on our website, including an essay writing guide, advice on how to use sources, and an information pack on Jewish migration to Britain in the 1930s.

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The Sir Martin Gilbert Learning Centre is also offering FREE in-person or online sessions on British responses to Jewish refugees – if you would like to book a session, please email Dr Bethany Gaunt on Bethany@sirmartingilbertlearningcentre.org  

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Entries should be submitted in Word or PDF format, using the form below. Entries must be submitted by 11.59pm on 31 January 2024.

Essays will be marked on the following criteria:

  • Writing style, clarity and concision
  • Use of primary source material
  • Strength and persuasiveness of argument
  • Evidence of independent thought and intellectual curiosity.

Resources

We have created some resources to help students and teachers prepare for the essay competition. We would love to hear your feedback, please email bethany@sirmartingilbertlearningcentre.org with comments and suggestions.

Jewish migration to Britain during the Nazi period, resource pack
Working with sources
Essay-writing guide

Terms and guidelines 

Your details


Name(Required)
Email address(Required)
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Consent(Required)

The quality of the entries was incredible. This is a great way of encouraging the next generation of historians. A fitting tribute to Sir Martin.

Allen Packwood, Director, Churchill Archives Centre