Sparking Wider Debate

South Hampstead’s Friendly Debating Series is thriving, with our latest competition attracting over 80 pupils from a number of local schools.

The aim of the programme is to ensure as many pupils as possible – particularly girls – develop the confidence to speak up, to challenge and to consider alternative points of view. The initiative, set up by our Director of Debating, is now in its second year and participation is growing. Congratulations to the winners and runners-up in our latest junior competition – St Marylebone and Parliament Hill – and to our very own Juliana, Manon and Phoebe who scooped the senior competition prize, ahead of runners-up, UCS.

A new partnership with Chiltern Academy in Luton is also underway, with our professional Debating Coach and Sixth Form mentors providing invaluable support.  Mixed teams of South Hampstead and Chiltern Academy girls from Year 7 and 8 are working together, engaging with intellectual debate and developing skills of argumentation and critical thinking.