original thinking

‘I hope for my work and research to inspire wider change in agriculture by promoting sustainability and community resilience.’

In 2024, while still a pupil in Year 11, Yash established Ek Sau Ek (101) in response to the climate-related challenges facing Indian agriculture. Initially designed to support 100 sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh, the initiative has since expanded to more than 1,000.

By focusing on bridging scientific research with traditional practices, Yash’s initiative enabled farmers to improve soil health, increase crop yield by up to 60%, reduce dependence on chemical inputs and reduce water usage by 30%.

‘The Wykehamical education would say, “Are we sure about that?”. It would not take anything for granted. You’ve got a problem; let’s look at it in a slightly different way.’

Professor Elkington has spent much of his life researching and treating patients with tuberculosis (TB), some of that time in Africa, leading him to establish a TB research group at Southampton University.

He was on shift when the first COVID-19 patient was diagnosed at University Hospital, Southampton and was asked to see the patient. His experience with airborne pathogens, safety controls and filtration systems led him to believe that the blue disposable face covering was inadequate. He therefore began designing his own prototype.

Ten days later, Professor Elkington and his team presented the PeRSo Respirator, a fabric hood with a clear face visor and a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter connected to a wearable battery powered fan.

Lightweight, reusable, and economically viable, the PeRSo respirator became standard issue at Southampton and at 16 other NHS trusts and the full design was shared on the internet for anyone to copy.

Professor Elkington was awarded an MBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his work.

‘Winchester allowed for intellectual freedom in a way I had never experienced before.’

When Winchester College announced it would welcome girls into the Sixth Form in September 2022, it marked a historic moment in the school’s long history. Among the first to join was Michelle Meitiner, also one of the first recipients of The Wykeham Award, a bursary for pupils who enter the Sixth Form from a UK state secondary school.

‘I was pushed in a way I had never been before. I was encouraged to speak; to share; to risk and fail. Now I am willing to try new things, unfazed by the possibility of rejections or failures. My sense of self is established.’

Michelle has since gone on to read English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford.

‘I have often made the observation that the Trusty Servant, as a symbol of the school, is service. It reinforces the message that we are here to serve others. And that is what sustainability is – it’s about service to others.’

After studying History at Cambridge before converting to Law and joining Slaughter & May as a lawyer in London, Tom was unable to ignore concerns about our natural environment and chose to focus his efforts on changing the way we consume energy.

He founded electric taxi service, Green Tomato Cars, and Green Tomato Energy, before joining OVO Energy as the Director of Electric Vehicles.