A set of four images capturing the polarised sides of a day of protests in London have taken the top award in the 2018 John Lyon House photography competition.

The images by Upper Sixth student Usmaan Khan, were taken during the protests in November 2018, and which saw thousands take to the capital’s streets to march against racism in all its forms, as well as small English Defense League counter protests.

The 2018 competition had asked pupils from all years to capture images which summed up what Britain means to them today. Commended entries from pupils included pictures of a fish and chip shop, Chelsea Pensioners and our modern architecture, while in a parallel competition School staff entered images of a Remembrance scene, and autumn street and American sport being played here in the UK.

The competition was judged by RAF helicopter pilot Flight Lieutenant Andy Donovan, who as well as flying is a photographer.

Reflecting on his win, Usmaan said: “It’s an honour to win the House photography with these images as the messages of the peaceful protesters on the day resonate so much with me. The camera will never do full justice to what the human eye sees, but I hope the pictures reflect on the feelings of unity within the mass of people, and on the other side, the hatred and violence brought upon that peaceful day by by a group who won’t consider me English because of my race.”

House photography competition 2018
1st – Usmaan Khan, U6, Norwood House
2nd – Oliver Coupland, Y7, Moore House
=3rd – Ace Parmar, Y7, Butler House
=3rd – Javier D’Souza, U6, Norwood House

Staff photography competition 2018
1st – Mr Nick Brown, Art Technician
2nd – Dr Morgan White, Head of Economics
3rd – Mr James Grieve, Estates Operative

John Lyon is an independent school, a member of HMC, ISC and is reviewed in the Good Schools Guide.

Pupils typically join John Lyon in Years 7, 9 and 12, largely from a North West London catchment area including Harrow, Wembley, Stanmore, Pinner, Watford, Rickmansworth, Northwood, Ruislip, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Ickenham, Northolt, Southall, Ealing, Acton, Edgware, Brent Cross, Finchley, Barnet, Camden, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, as well as other parts of Middlesex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

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