ESU Debating & Public Speaking Competitions

This term Tormead’s debating teams have been taking part in the ESU Schools’ Mace – the largest and oldest debating competition for schools in England and Wales.  Since 1957, this competition has challenged pupils from Years 7 – 13 to dive into hot topics, sharpen their debating skills and have a great time!

For the first time in many years, Tormead entered a Sixth Form Team – Izzy, Evie and Raha – who took part in the first heat held on 13th November at RGS.  The team debated against GHS as proposer with the motion “This House would build homes on the green belt”, making it through to the second round which will be held in January.

Tormead also took part in the ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition, sponsored by the International Churchill Society, which is the largest such contest in England Wales with around 400 teams (each comprising a speaker, questioner and a chairperson). The different roles allow pupils to practise and excel in different skill sets and the competition’s unique format, which pairs the speaker from one school with the chair and questioner of another, encourages quick thinking and relationship building. 

This was the first time Tormead has entered a team and Holly, Penelope, Erin and Auriele were paired against GHS on the topic “What is NATO’s role in today’s world?”  The heat was held online via Zoom and despite a few technical challenges, which the judge commended the girls on how well they dealt with these, Tormead won the heat and are through to the next round which will be in person. 

Where next?