The KMAT Great Debate has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting public speaking competitions in the region.

Following two hugely successful Key Stage 3 events hosted by Kenilworth School in 2024 and 2025, Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust went even further by partnering with the University of Warwick to stage the first-ever National Showcase.

Nineteen schools from across the country came together for a spectacular celebration of debate, discussion and public speaking.

But the question remained: where next?

The answer was simple. Start sooner.

One of the defining features of KMAT Great Debate Boxing has always been the incredible energy students bring into the room.

There is a unique buzz as young people race to predict their opponents' arguments, build persuasive cases of their own, and think on their feet. The atmosphere is electric, and there is simply nothing else quite like it.

So why wait until secondary school?

By taking that same excitement and adapting it for younger students, the KMAT created Feed the Debate – a brand-new Key Stage 2 tournament designed to introduce some of the area's brightest Year 5 and 6 pupils to the art of discussion, debate and respectful disagreement.

On 30 June, Kenilworth School welcomed teams from Park Hill Junior School, St Nicholas CE Community Primary School, St John's Primary School and Clinton Primary School, alongside visitors from Coventry: Templars Primary School, Canon Park Primary School and Coundon Primary School.

Within minutes, Kenilworth School's main hall was alive with anticipation.

Conversations bounced around the room as pupils eagerly compared ideas, shared strategies and waited for the day to begin. Supporting them every step of the way were mentors from Kenilworth School and Westwood Academy from Years 10 to 12, whose enthusiasm and leadership quickly set the tone for the afternoon.

It was a fantastic example of the KMAT community in action, with older students guiding, encouraging and inspiring the next generation of debaters.

Mr Abbott, CEO of KMAT addressed the expectant audience before the afternoon began with an introduction to the KMAT Debate Boxing format. Shortly afterwards, pupils were tackling their first practice debate: Should computers replace teachers in classrooms?

The answers came thick and fast.

Creative arguments, thoughtful counterpoints and plenty of unexpected moments brought smiles to the faces of staff watching from around the room, while pupils discovered just how enjoyable a well-constructed disagreement can be.

Next came the first real challenge.

Schools split into smaller teams and faced pupils from other primary schools in friendly practice debates.

Youngsters were reminded that a great debate is built on respect as much as persuasion, and fist bumps, high-fives and congratulations between opponents quickly became as common as winning arguments.

As well as this, the lighting and music elements that contributed towards making the afternoon so special were entirely organised and run by talented Kenilworth School students, Will (Year 11) and Joe (Year 12). With one eye on the future, these gifted technicians were also mentoring younger Kenilworth School students in the fine art of stagecraft.

Future KMAT Great Debate events are in good hands…

The stage was set.

Before arriving, every school had prepared five competition topics, carefully researching arguments for both sides. Armed with notebooks full of ideas and plenty of determination, Primary School teams selected their speakers before heading to debate zones around the hall, where staff from across the KMAT and student mentors waited eagerly for the action to begin.

What followed was four fiercely competitive rounds packed with confidence, creativity and quick thinking.

Preparation time was accompanied by an upbeat soundtrack as pupils hurriedly refined arguments, swapped ideas and rehearsed key points.

Then came the debates themselves, with students demonstrating impressive confidence, listening carefully to one another and applying the techniques they had refined throughout the afternoon.

It was impossible not to be impressed.

When the final scores were revealed, the competition had been incredibly close. Travelling the furthest and the last school to sign up, Coundon Primary School claimed the inaugural Feed the Debate shield with an outstanding 29 points. St Nicholas CE Community Primary School finished just one point behind on 28, while Canon Park Primary School secured third place with an excellent 26 points.

Alongside the trophy, Coundon also earned the unofficial awards for "bounciest primary school" though the award for "best singing voices on the bus journey home" was fiercely contested by Canon Park.

The biggest winners, however, were the pupils themselves.

Staff could not have been more enthusiastic about the event.

Ms Walton of Coundon Primary School said "It was a truly wonderful experience and still can't believe we won!"

"It was the best afternoon," said Mrs Talbot, Head of Westwood Academy.

"Our students loved the competition and were so proud of themselves," said Ms Fosset of Park Hill Junior School.

"I had the best time! The students were all so impressive. They were a credit to their schools" added Mrs Dyson, Head of MFL at Kenilworth School.

Even before the competition had finished, teachers were already asking when they could return.

"Can we come back next year?" asked Mr Ray of Canon Park.

To that, KMAT's answer is a resounding yes.

Feed the Debate looks set to become a permanent fixture in the county's public speaking calendar, with designs that partner secondary schools involved in KMAT Great Debate 2026 will go on to establish their own Feed the Debate tournaments.

For primary pupils, the pathway is now clear. The journey begins in Year 5 and Year 6 before continuing into secondary school through the KMAT Great Debate, creating opportunities for students to grow as communicators, thinkers and leaders.

And from there?

Who knows where the conversation will take them…

See more on the KMAT Great Debate Facebook page.

Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust sponsors Kenilworth Nub News.