Year 13 students Emily and Taylor from The Coleshill School have been awarded the Dugdale Society Centenary Prize. The senior school student prize of £150, has been awarded to Emily for her essay entitled: How did the Coleshill Grammar School develop between 1520 and 1613? Runner up Taylor’s essay entitled ‘How did Coleshill Grammar School develop between 1900-1956?’ was also commended by the judges

The Dugdale Society is devoted to studying Warwickshire’s past and publishes documents that throw light on the county’s history. The Society was founded in 1920 and is therefore celebrating its centenary this year. Various events were planned to mark the Society’s first hundred years, some of which have had to be postponed, but the centenary prize competition has gone ahead.

Professor Chris Dyer, the Chairman of The Dugdale Society commented “The Society wishes to congratulate the winner on the high quality of her work. The judges were impressed by the author’s careful use of sources, and the firm and reasoned conclusion, demonstrating her skills as a historian. The writing is clear, and the essay is well presented and referenced.” 

Mrs Raines, Teacher of History at The Coleshill School commented: “Both girls decided upon their essay titles and submitted them to the Dugdale Society for approval. They conducted their own research during lockdown and worked independently on their essays. With it being the 500 year anniversary of The Coleshill School both girls wanted to research and write about the history of the school. We are so proud of the work that both girls put into their essays and to receive such high praise from academics and professional historians is a huge achievement”

For further information, and to join the Society, please contact Honorary Secretary, Cathy Millwood at dugdale-society@hotmail.co.uk