Former Callywith College Student Wins Prestigious University Award

A history student and social media creator from Cornwall has won a prestigious prize as part of his university degree.

Blake Mitchell, 21, a former Callywith College student who is studying History with Sociology at the University of Worcester, was awarded the Richard Shaw Memorial Prize at a ceremony celebrating academic excellence.

“I received the prize for my essay on the memoirs of Richard Baxter, and his account of the English Civil Wars,” explained Blake. “The essay explored what historians can learn from his later description of the events of 1641.”

Blake has amassed tens of thousands of followers with his channel: The Historical Frontier, sharing his love of history with the world.

He paid tribute to his former teachers at Callywith College for their support in getting him where he is today.

“I would like to thank my history teacher, Louise, who was phenomenal at inspiring my passion for history,” he said. “She always supported and encouraged everyone in the class and is a truly amazing teacher. I also want to thank my two sociology teachers, Jo and Emma, and my classics teacher Benedict.”

Blake added: “Callywith College played a huge part in getting me to where I am today. After struggling at secondary school, the support I received at Callywith rebuilt my confidence and gave me the foundations and the steps I needed to go to university.”

Collecting his award, Blake has reflected on his university journey so far. “The best part has been the strong sense of community and the connections I have built with my fellow students and lecturers,” he said. “The welcoming and supportive atmosphere, particularly during lessons, has made my time at the university both enjoyable and rewarding.”

Blake said he chose Worcester because of the size of the city and the feel of the university: “Worcester felt like the ideal place for me to study. The city offers a great balance, being not too large nor too small, while still having plenty to offer. It’s also a welcoming and enjoyable place to live and the University offered both the course I wanted to study and the strong sense of community I was looking for.”

He said he hopes to keep combining his research with sharing history with a wider audience.

“This award will strengthen my future applications and has given me the confidence to aim higher in academia and projects outside of it,” he said.

Blake is studying at the University of the Year for Graduate Jobs 2027 in the Daily Mail University Guide, with judges describing a performance that ‘leaves many of the Russell Group in the shade’.

Academic prizes at the University are supported by generous philanthropists, including the University’s distinguished Honorary Fellows, local employers and many successful graduates of the University.

Professor Sally Moyle, Deputy Vice Chancellor, said: “Academic prizes show how hard a student has worked during their studies, and they’re a wonderful way to celebrate the individual achievements of students.

She added: “We’re incredibly proud of all of our prize winners, and we hope that receiving this award will not only recognise their dedication and commitment but also help them as they take the next steps in their careers and further studies.”