Taking debating further

This activity is based on the format of the Institute of Ideas and Pfizer Debating Matters Competition, a national competition for sixth-form students launched in 2004. The competition is supported by the Wellcome Trust, with debate topics covering issues in science, politics and culture. The competition brings a new approach to debating, with debaters making short opening speeches and then responding to questions from a panel of judges. Visit the competition website to find out more.

Listed below are details of other debating competitions that you might like to take part in and resources to help you organise your own debates.

Debating competitions

ESU Schools Mace
Run by the English-Speaking Union (ESU), the Schools Mace has been running since 1957 and is open to schools in England and Scotland. Similar competitions are run in Wales and Ireland. The competition is open to all secondary school pupils. Now being run in partnership with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, there are two categories of motion: constitutional (covering law, politics and other related areas) and non-constitutional (covering social, economic, scientific and philosophical topics).

ESU London Debate Challenge
Also run by the English-Speaking Union (ESU), the competition is open to all secondary schools in London.

Oxford Union Society Schools' Debating Competition
Uses the British Parliamentary debating format. Offers workshops for competitors, followed by regional heats held across the country, with a finals day at the Oxford Union. There is no minimum age restriction, but competitors are normally aged 16 or above.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Cambridge Schools' Debating Competition
Another national competition using the British Parliamentary format. Involves first rounds, regional rounds and a finals day at the Cambridge Union.

Debating resources

BritishDebate.com
A website for British debating run by the English-Speaking Union (ESU). Contains a national debating calendar as well as guides and resources for debaters.

Debatabase
Includes arguments for and against over 300 debate topics across a wide range of fields.

Debate Chamber
Offers coaching and workshops in debating.

Debating Matters Topic Guides
A range of guides to debate topics in the Debating Matters Competition, including an overview of the debate and links to online articles and resources.