The KMAT Great Debate is back - and in 2026, it's bigger, broader and more competitive than ever before.

Last year's tournament was already a landmark event. Nineteen schools from across Coventry and Warwickshire battled through the qualification rounds, with twelve earning their place in a fiercely contested Grand Final.

Since then, the competition has gone from strength to strength.

A hugely successful National Showcase, delivered in partnership with the University of Warwick, demonstrated just how powerful the KMAT Great Debate model has become. The launch of the Feed the Debate Key Stage 2 pilot opened the door for younger pupils, while at Kenilworth School the debate culture has become firmly embedded. An internal Year 7 Debate Tournament - organised, chaired and judged by experienced student debaters—shows just how far the competition has come.

With that momentum behind it, the goal for 2026 was simple: grow the tournament.

Mission accomplished.

The 2026 Coventry and Warwickshire KMAT Great Debate will feature at least twice as many schools as the 2025 competition. Demand has been so high that an additional qualification tournament has had to be added to accommodate the growing field.

This is no longer simply a county competition. Schools from beyond the borders of Coventry and Warwickshire have accepted invitations to compete as guests - some returning after impressing at the National Showcase, others experiencing the format for the very first time.

The stage is set for the biggest KMAT Great Debate yet.

The Established Contenders

As always, Kenilworth School and Westwood Academy lead the charge into another season.

Both schools begin a new era, having bid farewell to the exceptional Year 9 teams that represented them so successfully at the National Showcase. Kenilworth, in particular, will miss reigning 2025 individual champion Louise, whose decorated peers now move with her into Key Stage 4.

Yet both schools possess enviable strength in depth, and this autumn offers a new generation of talented speakers the opportunity to step into the spotlight.

Coventry's familiar contenders also return. Bishop Ullathorne, Finham Park, Finham Park 2, Ash Green and Blue Coat Church of England School all enter the arena once again.

Can Finham Park defend the school championship? Can Blue Coat go one better after finishing runners-up last year? Or will a new name receive the trophy from KMAT's CEO, Mr Abbott?

Familiar Faces Return

Across the county, many established competitors are back for another campaign.

Campion School, The Kingsley School and Arnold Lodge return from Leamington, joined once again by Warwick School. Rugby's determined Avon Valley School is back to challenge for honours, while Kineton School, Queen Elizabeth Academy and Hartshill Academy all return hoping to build on previous experience.

After a year's absence, Lawrence Sheriff School also rejoins the competition. Having produced the 2024 individual runner-up, the Rugby school will be eager to remind everyone of its debating pedigree.

National Showcase Success Brings New Challengers

The success of the National Showcase has inspired schools both inside and outside the county to join the regional competition.

Following their Showcase appearances, St Peter's Catholic School (Solihull), Worcester Royal Grammar School and Lutterworth High School all make the journey to Kenilworth to test themselves against the region's finest.

The KMAT Great Debate is delighted to welcome them to the Coventry and Warwickshire competition.

Closer to home, Bablake School, President Kennedy School and Meadow Park School all make their regional debuts after embracing the Showcase experience.

Meanwhile, Stratford-upon-Avon's King Edward VI School arrive after an outstanding second-place finish at the 2026 National Showcase and will undoubtedly be among the schools to watch.

A Record Number of New Schools

The growth within Coventry and Warwickshire has been remarkable.

Eleven new county schools will take part in 2026.

Coventry welcomes Lyng Hall, Grace Academy and Cardinal Newman, bringing the city's representation to an impressive thirteen schools.

Rugby's contingent grows with the arrival of Ashlawn School, Bilton School and Houlton School, meaning five Rugby schools will now compete.

Joining them are Aylesford School from Warwick, Etone College from Nuneaton, Oakley School from Leamington Spa and Stratford Girls' Grammar School, all hoping to announce themselves on one of the region's biggest debating stages.

The competition's reputation has spread even further afield.

Grace Academy Solihull also makes its debut, alongside Northamptonshire's Campion School and Caroline Chisholm School. Travelling the greatest distance of all is Cirencester Kingshill School, making the 50-mile journey north to test its mettle against some of the strongest school debating teams in the Midlands.

A Competition That Keeps Growing

The extraordinary growth of the KMAT Great Debate has prompted a new identity.

With satellite tournaments now emerging across the country, the original event has officially become the Coventry and Warwickshire KMAT Great Debate.

Those regional competitions will follow the same successful model, with outstanding schools progressing towards the National Showcase in 2027.

What began as a regional tournament has become something much larger.

Hundreds - and potentially thousands - of students will engage with this year's carefully selected motions, while more partner schools prepare to launch their own Feed the Debate competitions. Every sign points towards an exciting future for debating across the country.

Now, two questions remain.

Who will lift the 2026 Coventry and Warwickshire KMAT Great Debate trophy?

Who will be crowned the greatest young debater in the county?

We can't wait to find out.

Find out more about the Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust on the website here and click here to see the Great Debate Facebook page.