Debate Mate Cup

Throughout 2025-26 we are taking part in Debate Mate, an external programme where students receive weekly after-school debate tutoring from experienced facilitators. During the Spring Term, our debating team competed in Round 1 and Round 2 of the Urban Debate League. The next competition: the Debate Mate Cup!

We took two teams to University College London, with both containing students from across Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9). Students took part in six debates, winning three and losing three.

The topics debated included:

The use of sports infrastructure and events as a tool for urban development
Banning 'fast fashion'.
Whether streaming services have made the cinema redundant.

Students did a brilliant job throughout the competition. It has been a pleasure to see them improve over the course of the year, with more practice and experience. As a young group, it is clear that there is a lot of potential for the coming years! We also want to commend the entire Debate Mate after-school club for their participation this year; at the event, we were given a certificate for being the school with the best average attendance. This shows how much the boys have "bought in" to the club and the skills that it will help hone. Well done, boys!