Pupil Named Scottish Schools’ Young Writer of the Year 2024

Izzy, who’s in Form 6, submitted a witty and well-researched guide on surviving Greek mythology as a woman, which impressed the judges with its fierce tone and sense of humour.  

After sending in her piece, Izzy was named as one of 21 nominees for the top spot.  

Her paper, titled How to Survive in Greek Mythology (If You’re a Woman), ended up earning her top spot in the competition, which is organised by the Young Programme charity and open to all pupils in Scottish schools between the ages of 15 and 18.  

She’s the second HSD pupil to win the title in four years, with Changshi Tang having been named the winner in 2019/20.  

Reporting Scotland presenter Sally Magnusson, who was one of the competition’s judges, described Izzy’s piece as “'lively, inventive and readable from the first paragraph to the last.” 

She added: “Confident wit and understatement drive home the serious point about how appallingly women are used in those ancient tales.” 

Head of English Mandy Tevendale said: “We are so very proud of Izzy’s win. Her writing shows her extraordinary love of the Classics alongside her wit, verve and determination that we recognise how women were treated in the past.” 

Izzy said: “I was so honoured to receive this award.  

“I wrote it because I wanted to prove that the Classics can be entertaining and to show how much I love the study of the world of the Ancient Greeks.   

“My love of this comes from my time studying English and Classics at the High School, and from my reading.”