Exeter College through to national debating final
Exeter College beat schools from across the West of England and South Wales to win place in final of national schools debating competition for second year running
Last Wednesday, sixth-form students from six schools from across the West of England and South Wales fought it out for a place at the Debating Matters national final to be held at the Museum of London in July. Ultimately, Exeter College, were victorious, having impressed judges with their sharp ideas and broad approach to the topics.
The 16-18 year olds will took part in a series of debates on topics such as gentrification, compulsory vaccinations for children, and human genome editing as part of the UK’s toughest debating competition, the Institute of Ideas’ Debating Matters Competition.
The competition involves nearly 300 schools and 2000 students from around the UK.
Martin Owen, teacher and debate coach at Exeter College, said: “Really proud of our debating team winning the South West Debating Matters Regional Final. Cannot wait for the National Final in June.”
Adam Ellison of The Cotswold School particularly caught the attention of the judges and was named Best Individual.
The Cotswold School, Redland High School for Girls, Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr, Wadebridge School, Exeter College, and Cardiff Sixth Form College, all reached the regional final after winning qualifying rounds held last autumn. The competition provides valuable experience for the students, equipping them to tackle some of the big issues affecting society today.
They faced a judging panel of adults from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including local business leaders, scientists, authors and academics who questioned them on their arguments and challenge them to defend their research and thinking.
Justine Brian, Director of the Debating Matters Competition, said: "The competition prides itself on taking young people seriously, valuing ideas and allowing free debate. Some of the brightest and best students are taken out of their comfort zone by tackling these topics. The quality of debaters was again exceptionally high in the West & South Wales Region, so congratulations to Exeter College!
“We emphasise substance, not just style of debating, and all the students have done incredibly well to get this far.”
The regional final was hosted by Bath Spa University.
The Debating Matters Competition is supported nationally by the Wellcome Trust. Hodder Education, Oxford University Press, Sally Lunn’s Bakery, the American Museum of Britain, Bath RUFC, the Roman Baths and Theatre Royal kindly donated prizes to the winning students.
