ESU Mace Debating Challenge

English Speaking Union debate

Our fantastic team of Year 12 debaters won in their second round English Speaking Union debate, and have made it through to the regional finals.

Flo M, Tilly R and Jackson P were praised by the judges for the depth of their research, the clear presentation of their arguments, the passion and dynamism of their delivery and their in-the-moment responsiveness to the proposition’s arguments. They really were a force to be reckoned with, and the next round, against schools from all over the South of England, will be very exciting. Their training with former pupil Alex Martin has really helped them to understand and explore the rules of this prestigious competition.

Many thanks too to our swing team of Bea H, Bethany C and Noah B – although they cannot proceed in the competition, their (first-time) debate was also excellent – one of the judges even said they were ‘the best swing team ever’!

————————————

Oxford Union Schools’ Debate

Our Year 12 teams entered this year’s Oxford Union Schools’ Debate, competing against more than 80 teams from schools from all over the south of England in British Parliamentary style debates. The first motion was: This house prefers a world where people do not make social comparisons, and the second was: This house believes that celebrity activism on social media has done more harm than good.

The teams of Flo M and George L / Jackson P and Noah B / Ben O and Tora U / Julia P and Lise D were given only 15 minutes and no resources to prepare their speeches of 5 mins each either proposing or opposing the motions.

Their collaboration was inspiring, as was their quick-thinking and brilliant range of references. They learnt so much, and will carry this experience forward into the third round of the ESU debate as well as their organisation of House Debating in the summer term.