A budding linguist at Monmouth School for Girls has been recognised in a German essay-writing competition organised by the University of Oxford.

Year 13 student, Ellie, was commended by the judges for her submission in the annual German Classic Essay Prize for Sixth Formers.

A total of 55 students from across the country wrote essays on E.T.A Hoffmann’s Der Sandmann, a challenging piece of literature, and only 10 were awarded prizes and commendations.

“The competition was extremely fierce,” said Mrs Helen Smail, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Monmouth School for Girls.

“The feedback on Ellie’s essay was very encouraging.

“The judges said Ellie started her essay with an arresting introduction before moving on to a bold, confident discussion of many of the story’s key themes.”

Ellie is now looking forward to the prize-giving ceremony in Oxford on 23rd June.