John Locke Essay Competition
Book a Consultation
Speak with one of our John Locke mentors about your child’s essay goals. We’ll review their background, discuss the contest categories, and recommend the right preparation track and timeline.
Free 1-on-1 consultation
Online via video call · approximately 30 minutes
Get in Touch
Phone
+971 56 929 9701Office Hours
Sunday–Thursday, 9 AM – 6 PM (GST)
What to Expect
- 1A 1-on-1 conversation with one of our John Locke essay mentors.
- 2We review your child’s writing background and target contest categories.
- 3You receive a recommended preparation track and timeline for submission.
- 4Clear next steps — no obligation to enrol.
What we cover on the call
The John Locke Essay Competition rewards a specific kind of writing: a direct answer to the question, an original and arguable thesis, academic sources, and a fair treatment of the strongest objection. Most students have never been asked to write like that at school, so the first thing we do is find out how far from that standard the student currently is. A recent school essay is usually enough to tell.
From there the mentor recommends a track. Students new to sourced, argumentative writing start with Academic Essay Basics; most competition entrants take John Locke Basics (12 group sessions plus 6 private hours through to submission); students aiming for a Very High Commendation or a category prize are considered for Ivy Scholar; and students who intend to enter the Economics category can add Economics Scholar in the autumn. We also settle the practical details: the February or March 2027 cohort, the weekly slot, and fees.
In 2026, 38 of the 41 Atlantic Ivy students who entered were shortlisted. The consultation is where that preparation starts, and it is the same conversation whether you end up enrolling or not.
Common questions
Is the consultation really free, and is there any obligation?
Yes, and no. The call is a free 30-minute video conversation with one of our John Locke essay mentors, booked through the calendar on this page. There is no fee and no obligation to enrol afterwards. We use it to understand the student's writing background and goals and to recommend one of our four tracks (Academic Essay Basics, John Locke Basics, Economics Scholar or Ivy Scholar), or to tell you honestly if the student would be better served by waiting a cycle.
What should we prepare before the call?
Ideally one recent piece of the student's writing (a school essay is fine, of any subject and length) and a sense of which of the ten John Locke categories interests them. If you have them, the student's age on 31 May 2027 (it decides Junior Prize eligibility) and their weekly availability help us match a cohort. None of this is required; many families book the call precisely because they do not yet know where to start.
Can the student join the call?
Please do bring them. The mentor will ask the student a few questions about what they like reading and arguing about, which is the quickest way to judge readiness and to suggest a category. Parents usually join for the recommendation and the practical details (schedule, fees, the February or March 2027 start) at the end.