The Junior Independent Learning Assignment (ILA) Celebration Evening, held on Tuesday 28 January, provided a fitting and inspiring conclusion to this year’s Junior ILA programme. The event celebrated the hard work, curiosity and academic ambition of students across the Third and Fourth Forms, highlighting the impressive range and quality of independent research undertaken throughout the year.
In total, 33 students submitted final reports, each exploring a topic of personal interest in considerable depth. The evening began with a Science Fair-style exhibition, giving students the opportunity to present their findings to an audience of fellow students, parents, staff and invited judges. Visitors were able to engage directly with participants, discuss the research process and learn more about the diverse subjects that had captured the students’ imagination.
The breadth of topics on display reflected the interdisciplinary nature of the Junior ILA programme. Projects ranged from science, engineering and medicine to history, politics and international relations, demonstrating not only students’ academic curiosity but also their ability to think critically, analyse evidence and communicate complex ideas effectively.
The exhibition was followed by refreshments kindly provided by the Catering Department, allowing guests to continue conversations and celebrate the achievements of all those involved. The audience then reconvened for the formal awards ceremony, during which outstanding projects were recognised and the contributions of the students’ Sixth Form mentors were acknowledged.
The Junior ILA programme is designed to encourage independent learning beyond the classroom, providing students with an opportunity to pursue interests in greater depth while developing valuable skills in research, analysis, organisation and presentation. These skills will serve participants well throughout their academic careers and beyond.
In the Fourth Form category, the award for Best Project was presented to Rajvir Mangat for his fascinating investigation into The Effect of the Gut-Brain Axis on Depression and its Significance in Medicine. The judges praised the sophistication of the topic and the quality of the research undertaken. The Fourth Form Runner-Up award went to George Lye for his project, Tuned Mass Dampers: What Are They, and How Are They Changing the Future of Mountain Biking?, which explored an innovative engineering concept and its practical applications.
Among the Third Form students, Labeeb Ahmed was named winner for his project, What is the Veto Power of the United Nations Security Council and to What Extent Does It Contradict the Principles of the UN? His work stood out for its depth of analysis and thoughtful consideration of a complex international issue. The Third Form Runner-Up award was presented to Albert Adams for his project, To What Extent Did Privateers Help Britain Evolve from a Minor Feudal European State to a Global Superpower?, an engaging and well-researched exploration of British history.
Special recognition was also given to the Sixth Form students who served as mentors throughout the programme. The Mentors’ Prize for STEM was awarded to Cameron Sibbald, while the Mentors’ Prize for Arts and Humanities was presented to Lucas Medeiros in recognition of their exceptional support, guidance and commitment.
The judges additionally awarded special mentions to Leo Shaw and Jackson Bigmore for the quality of their projects and presentations.
The evening was a celebration not only of academic excellence but also of intellectual curiosity, perseverance and independent thinking. Congratulations go to all 33 students who completed the programme and to the Sixth Form mentors whose support helped make this year’s Junior ILA such a success. Their achievements exemplify the spirit of scholarly enquiry and lifelong learning that lies at the heart of an RGS education.