Stamford among top 12 Debating Teams in the Country

Stamford's Sixth Form Debating Team have become one of the top 12 school's debating teams in the country, following success at the East Midlands Regional round of the English-Speaking Union Schools' Debating Mace.Stamford's Team, comprising Oliver F and Harry L, both Year 13, and Kitty H, Year 12, participated in the first round of the competition in January against 5 local schools (read more here) before taking part in the East Midlands Regional Championship over zoom this week.The team competed against three local schools, Oundle, Loughborough Grammar School and Brookfield Community School, discussing the motion 'this House believes that national health decisions should be made by a panel of scientific experts rather than Government.'Stamford's arguments won the day, taking them through to the Mace Finals Day in March. On March 29th they will participate in a full day of Zoom calls on two motions - one for the semi-finals, and one for the grand final - which only the top two teams will compete in.Karen Leetch, Stamford's Debating Coach, said: "The Stamford team reached this stage of the competition two years ago and it's great to see the first ever SES team in the top 12 nationally. It's a shame that we won't get a trip to London to debate in the ESU Headquarters at Dartmouth House this time, but I'm sure the team will enjoy the finals of the competition nonetheless."Harry Laventure, first speaker in the team, said: "It’s a pleasure and a privilege to reach the Mace Finals. Having fallen at the last hurdle before it last year, there’s a shared pride in the group at our improvement, and we are very much excited for the new competition it will bring."Kitty Henderson, the team summary speaker, said: “I was very pleased and surprised last night when we found out we made it to the Finals day, especially as the standard of the debates were so high. I am very much looking forward to the Mace finals."For more news from the Schools Community, please click here.