During the coronavirus pandemic, we took Debating Matters online to provide a way to keep pupils intellectually engaged, and to support teachers with resources and activities for their students.
This page is a record of all the debates that were held. Read more about it all here.
Tues 21 April
DEBATE 1: SOCIAL MEDIA SITES SHOULD FILTER OUT FAKE NEWS
FOR
Exeter College
Competing students:
Stephen, studying maths, further maths and computer science
Tom, studying geography sociology and politics
AGAINST
Cardiff Sixth Form College
Competing students:
Paul, studying maths, further maths, economics and history
Izzy, studying chemistry, physics, maths and further maths
CHAIR
JUDGES
Jake Unsworth, solicitor, Womble Bond Dickinson
Dr Jan MacVarish, visiting research fellow, Centre for Parenting Culture Studies, University of Kent; author, Neuroparenting: the expert invasion of family life
Simon Warr, communications director, NATS
WINNERS: Cardiff Sixth Form College
Tues 21 April
DEBATE 2: “CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS SHOULD BE COMPULSORY”
FOR
Cirencester College
Competing students:
Otylia, studying biology, law and business
Laurence, studying chemistry, biology and maths
AGAINST
Havering College
Competing students:
Isabel, studying politics, history and maths
Harry, studying film studies, english literature and history
CHAIR
JUDGES
Tom Bristow, researcher, Children and Families, National Centre for Social Research.
Dr Ann Furedi, chief executive, British Pregnancy Advisory Service; author, The Moral Case For Abortion.
Dr Nicholas Silk, insurance supervisor, Bank of England.
WINNERS: Havering College
Tues 28 April
DEBATE 3: “HUMANITY SHOULD FEAR ADVANCES IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE“
FOR
Magdalen College School
Competing students:
Cara studying history, politics, maths and further maths
William studying politics, economics, maths and history
AGAINST:
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School
Competing students:
Molly studying politics, history and biology
Ishani studying politics, sociology and geography
CHAIR
JUDGES
David Bowden, global communications manager, PWC
Roy Lilley, health policy analyst, writer, broadcaster and commentator
Sarah Pinch, Chart.PR, FCIPR, MIoD
WINNERS: Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School
Thurs 30 April
DEBATE 4: “CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS SHOULD BE COMPULSORY“
FOR
Queen’s School, Bushey
Competing student:
Hope
AGAINST:
Exeter College|
Competing students:
Ryan
Leo
CHAIR
JUDGES
Chris Yianni, senior lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University
Greg Lowden, office of the Group Chairman, HSBC
Timandra Harkness, writer; comedian; broadcaster; author, Big Data: does size matter?
WINNERS: Exeter College
Tues 5 May
DEBATE 5: “BRITAIN SHOULD PAY REPARATIONS FOR ITS COLONIAL PAST“
FOR
Thornhill College, Derry
Competing students:
Amy
Catilin
AGAINST:
East London Science School
Competing students:
KC
Nimat
CHAIR
JUDGES
Anne Fergusson, financial services and private equity advisor and investor
Tegan Lucas, engineer; student
Dr Kevin Yuill, associate professor in history, University of Sunderland
WINNERS: Thornhill College, Derry
Thursday 7 May
DEBATE 6: “MONUMENTS TO CONTROVERSIAL HISTORICAL FIGURES SHOULD REMAIN“
FOR
Durham High School for Girls
Competing students:
Jenny
Izzy
AGAINST
St Edward’s School, Oxford
Competing students:
Alex
Leo
CHAIR
JUDGES
Baroness Natalie Bennett, Green Peer; former leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
Penny Lewis, lecturer, University of Dundee; leader, joint architecture programme, University of Dundee and University of Wuhan in China.
Jon O’Brien, independent political consultant; former director, Catholics for Choice
WINNERS: St Edward’s School Oxford
Thursday 21 May
DEBATE 7: “MONUMENTS TO CONTROVERSIAL HISTORICAL FIGURES SHOULD REMAIN“
FOR
St George’s College, Weybridge
Competing Students:
Josh
Sebastian
AGAINST
Queen’s School, Bushey
Competing students:
Thomas
Poppy
CHAIR
JUDGES
Nat Edwards, CEO, Thackray Medical Museum
Ralph Leighton, retired course leader PGSE citizenship education, Canterbury Christ Church
Vicky Pryce, chief economic adviser and board member, Centre for Economics and Business Research; author, Women vs Capitalism
WINNERS: Queens School, Bushey