Ripon Grammar School proud of outstanding student making his mark at UK level
An A-level student from Knaresborough has beaten hundreds of entrants from around the UK to win three national prizes in quick succession.
Daniel McClean, who goes to Ripon Grammar School, is celebrating success in three major political essay competitions:
Economasters national economics essay competition: Winner.
St Hugh’s College, Oxford, Kavita Singh politics essay prize: Winner.
Oxford’s Brasnose College Massolit video essay competition: Runner-up.
“I must admit, it was very unexpected, I was just blown off my feet,” said the 17-year-old from Knaresborough, who has ambitions for a career in politics.
“My interest in politics dates back to before I was a founding member of the Harrogate Youth Council in 2021.
"But my study of politics at Ripon Grammar School has helped that interest crystallise."
Shortly after learning he was runner-up in one prestigious University of Oxford competition, Daniel McClean discovered he had beaten hundreds of entrants to win first place in a second University of Oxford essay contest.
Then, on his return from attending two separate awards ceremonies at the world-famous seat of learning, Daniel discovered he had also won first place in the Economasters national economics essay competition for A-level students.
In his Economasters essay, Daniel argued that economist John Maynard Keynes remains the most influential figure in the UK economy.
Judges for the Kavita Singh politics essay prize told him that the St Hugh’s politics tutor was very impressed with his essay, titled ‘Democracy will not help us solve the issues facing the world today’.
For his ‘talking head’ style ten-minute video lecture in Oxford’s Brasnose College Massolit video essay competition, he chose to explore the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding father of the Republic of Turkey.
A volunteer campaigner for the Liberal Democrats, Daniel said: “I’m delighted to have received these awards and look forward to the next steps in applying to Oxford – what felt like a dream when I was younger now seems possible and within reach, and I’m excited to get to work.”
A qualified glider pilot and Air Cadet instructor, Daniel is also a drummer and active in the Scout movement.