Katie's inspired work wins top prize

Inspiration from a Geography trip led to an academy student winning a regional Art competition.

Katie Lee's work beat more than 200 entries to first place in the competition organised by Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust in its eight schools across the county.

The Year 11 was presented with her prizes by Louth Academy Principal Mr Hermiston at the Trust's head office.

Katie's work, along with other prize winners, is displayed on the walls of the Trust's offices.

The competition idea came about when the Trust moved to its renovated offices in June 2023. Leaders were looking for something that could represent students' high levels of achievement.

There were three winners from each of the Trust's academies and then an overall top three. Katie came first.

"I went on a geography trip to a beach and on the way we went past lots of fields, which I took inspiration from," she said. "There were lots of crops on them and behind were the hills with trees.

"I did the piece at a lunch club over a couple of days."

Katie picked Art as one of her GCSE options.

"I'm very happy about winning and seeing it on the wall. I was surprised to win because there were some really good entries."

Mr Hermiston praised Katie's work.

"For a Louth Academy student to win the first Art competition run by Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust fills me with pride," he said.

"Katie is an incredibly gift student and it's great to see young people taking part in the Arts, in particular, which is an area nationally that needs that extra support.

"It is fantastic to look at the entry and she is an inspiration to other students at the academy."

The judging panel included local artists Rachel Porter and Sarah Palmer, vice chair of the Trust Jane Aukett, Trust Chief Executive Officer Martin Brown, his PA Kirstine Revell and Trust administrator Billie Kingswood.