The school facilitates both the Core Programme and the Debate Mate Plus programme. The Core Programme focuses on building skills through after-school debating sessions for students in Years 7–10, while the Debate Mate Plus programme helps students in Years 11–13 transfer those skills into the world of work through partnerships, careers events, and competitions. Both programmes equip young people with essential employability skills such as teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, empathy, resilience, communication (speaking and listening), and, above all, core confidence.
Finding Their Voice
“Before Debate Mate, I was really introverted,” said a Year 10 student who’s been in the programme for three years. “I didn’t like speaking publicly at all.”
Today, he speaks confidently in lessons, is an A* drama student, and credits Debate Mate with helping him improve his improvisation and presentation skills.
Another Year 10 student, now in her fourth year on the programme, echoed this transformation.
“My confidence has flourished. I’m able to talk with people on a more intellectual level and share ideas.”
She’s more comfortable in discussions, feels able to speak up, and says she now enjoys meeting and debating new people at competitions.
Confidence in Every Classroom
A teacher who has led the programme for the past decade has seen this change across the years.
“Debate Mate gives them the confidence to articulate themselves — to put forward a point clearly and respectfully. It’s not just useful for the debating competitions. It helps in English, RE, History, any subject where they need to make an argument or evaluate ideas.”
The confidence students gain from the programme cascades into their wider school and personal lives.
“I’m a peer mentor and an anti-bullying ambassador,” said the Year 10 student. “When I get to Year 11, I want to become a prefect — I’ve seen so many students who’ve done Debate Mate go on to become Head Girl or Head Boy.”
The second student is also a peer educator.
“I’ve run assemblies on the risks of smoking and drinking. I help younger students understand how to navigate these challenges.”
From the Classroom to Leadership
That leadership journey continues well into Sixth Form.
“Every year we see a significant number of Debate Mate students in the senior team,” said the teacher. “This year, the Head Girl and Head of Junior Council are both former Debate Mate participants. They step up in so many areas of school life, from leading change to planning assemblies and school events.”
Outside the school, students have also led on national and international stages.
“We’ve had students debate at 10 Downing Street and even represent the UK at the Dubai World Expo,” said the Year 10 student, whose team won the Urban Debate League Round 1 and got to meet the Prime Minister.
These experiences have a ripple effect across the school.
“Younger students see what’s possible,” said the teacher. “As soon as they hear about 10 Downing Street, they want to know how to get involved. The energy changes. They see that hard work pays off.”
Debate Mate helps students imagine a bigger future for themselves — whether that’s becoming Head Girl, going to university, or standing on global stages.
Teamwork and Quick Thinking
Along with individual accolades, debating is ultimately a team activity. It relies on listening, reacting, and supporting each other to build strong arguments. The Year 10 student values the way Debate Mate teaches quick thinking through group games and challenges:
“The games are fun, but they’re useful too. They get you thinking on your feet.”
The other student added:
“I enjoy working with others. It gives me different perspectives and helps me improve. We share ideas and respond to each other in a more thoughtful way.”
This collaborative approach spills into other areas of school life. Students become more comfortable sharing responsibility, giving feedback, and planning together — skills essential not only for debate but also for the classroom and beyond.
A Lasting Impact
After ten years, Debate Mate is now embedded in the culture of the school. It has supported hundreds of students to speak with confidence. Whether they’re delivering a speech, sitting an exam, or shaping school life, these young people are prepared for the challenges ahead — and inspired to aim higher than ever before.
