A debate team of young students from Roding Valley High School have been crowned national champions at the Up for Debate Competition 2019, organised by Partners in Excellence (PiXL). The day-long event included a series of rounds covering different debate topics, in which students from across the country battled it out to be named best in the UK.
The debate team was made up three students, Joseph, Ruby and Zak, alongside a time keeper, Emily, and debate chairman, Alex. The group began the day with an impromptu debate on the topic of climate change and whether children should be encouraged to strike for the cause, in which the trio beat an opposing team that they had already encountered in the regional finals. The second round, which the students also passed, required a prepared debate regarding nuclear weapons in the UK. The semi-final round followed with a second impromptu debate on the protection of politicians.
Ruby, Roding Valley High School student, said: “The final round was really difficult, and we weren’t given the results straight away – so it was pretty nerve-wracking! After anxiously waiting, we were overjoyed with the news that we had made it to the grand final – the top two teams in the UK!”
The theme debated for the final spot was whether AI would improve peoples’ lives. In order to make their case, the team garnered information from an AI expert to bolster their argument and, ultimately, debate their way to national champions.
Ruby continued: “The day was full of hard work, and we couldn’t wait to hear the results – our nervousness was replaced with complete and utter joy when we were announced as the Up for Debate National Champions 2019! We would like to thank Miss Bingham, our amazing coach, and the whole of the PixL team for the fantastic experience that this competition has given us. The fact that we won still seems very surreal to me!”
Roding Valley High School has a strong commitment to developing confident speakers and debaters, which it ensures through a yearly Challenge and Enrichment programme. Miss Bingham, Challenge and Enrichment Co-ordinator at Roding Valley High School, said: “I am incredibly proud to see our younger students winning such high accolades nationally, we will have a fantastic debate team that I’m sure would hold their own in a parliamentary debate!”
