On Wednesday (October 8), Kenilworth School and Sixth Form played host to the KMAT Great Debate.

This was the competition's second year running, and the event did not disappoint.

There were 12 schools left in the final after 24 schools had put themselves forward to compete.

By the end of the morning, there would be a winning school, and it would be revealed who is the greatest debater in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Debaters entered the arena to the sound of deafening cheers and Enter Sandman, giving these students a moment they would never forget.

As the dust settled, Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust's CEO introduced the final.

"This isn't a normal debate," Mr Abbott said in his programme notes "what is particular about our competition is that we draw on the spontaneity and creativity of debating in a relatively informal context.

"Additionally, our debaters can draw upon the support and ideas of their peers around the discussion, creating an atmosphere and energy unlike any other public speaking competition."

The schools were given five minutes before each debate to prepare (image via KMAT)

Once the introductions were out of the way, the 24 judges made their way down and took their place, guided by Kenilworth's Key Stage 5 leadership team.

These judges comprised members of the local political parties, prominent members of the local business community, retired teachers from across Warwickshire, and representatives from Warwick University.

Once they were comfortably seated, the debaters and their assistants descended into the arena to the sound of a motivational soundtrack and a vibrant light show.

The debaters had all prepared for the competition before arriving, but they wouldn't know which debate they were taking part in until the opening of a five-minute preparatory window before each debate.

They would also learn which side of the debate they would be taking, and whether they would start.

Debaters from across the schools eagerly reached for their pre-prepared notes and bounced ideas off their peers. School staff nervously paced around the edges of the competition, unable to intervene, and quietly living and breathing every moment with their students.

Some of the debaters had been here the previous year. They had seen Westwood take a clean sweep in the school competition and the individual tournament.

Would there be a repeat this year? Or would we see new champions emerge from the mass of hopeful young minds?

The event was split into a group stage and then a knockout (image via KMAT)

When the debating began, the assistants stepped back, and the natural born orators took over. The discussions were ferocious. This was a room full of highly motivated students, all of whom were determined to show their quality. Nobody took a backward step.

After five rounds of intense debating, the group stages closed, and the knockout stages began.

Emotions ran high. Everyone wanted to make it through to the next round, but only a few could do so.

Gradually, the numbers were whittled down until there were only two remaining.

Louise Price of Kenilworth School and Abbey McCabe of Blue Coat Church of England School were the finalists.

As they were briefed in the use of the lapel-microphones, an expectant hush fell over the watching crowd. The final debate would take place in silence as the knowledgeable audience watched on expectantly.

After the last point was uttered, and the final counterargument framed, Louise was declared winner of the individual competition to the sound of thunderous applause from her peers.

Abbey finished in a deserving second place, and has positioned herself as one of the favourites for next year's competition – if she's this good at debating in Year 8, just imagine what she'll be like when she's in Year 9!

The KMAT Great Debate was a success once again (image via KMAT)

Finally, Micah Wiratunga of Warwick School and Ella Tipple of Polesworth School finished in joint third place.

Finham Park School took home the shield as winners of the School Competition, beating Kenilworth School into second place by a single point. Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School, finished in third place.

The visiting teachers and judges were full of praise for the event. Ms Green, Assistant Headteacher of Finham Park spoke of "an amazing experience for our students".

Finham's debaters had been entirely prepared and supported by two Key Stage 5 students, showcasing their own student leadership qualities in a hugely competitive environment.

Mr Smith of Hartshill Academy spoke warmly of his own school's experiences too: "I cannot overstate how impressive it all was and how inspiring, both for our students and myself professionally."

The judges too, were full of praise following their own experience.

Mr Wheatley, one of the KMAT trustees and a judge from the 2024 event offered his "congratulations on another fantastic debating event. I'm looking forward to next year already!"

Students were described as 'amazing' (image via KMAT)

Perhaps the most effusive praise came from a Bishop Ullathorne student who told his teacher that "Mr Dudley is a genius for organising this."

The competition was driven in large part by the sense of expectation following a hugely successful social media campaign.

Prior to the final, those schools who had qualified were gradually released over the course of one day on the competition's social media platform – the resulting interest generating 10,000 views for the page in a single day!

When the lights dimmed and the sound of Bittersweet Symphony subsided, everyone was able to walk away from the experience with a smile upon their faces. They had just experienced a public speaking competition like no other.

The Final Rankings

These students were amazing. In a world where we are increasingly encouraged to fit into convenient boxes, those lucky enough to see events unfold bucked that trend.

Representatives from across the political spectrum stood in agreement with teachers, former students and local business representatives – a feat not easily achieved in this day and age; all of them were unanimous in their praise of these students.

Mr Dudley, in his programme notes said: "I sincerely hope that today, and all the days like this in the future, are about more than who takes home the trophies.

"I hope that everyone can take home an appreciation of the power of the spoken word, and an understanding that so much good can come from a place where intelligent people disagree with one another."

On that, perhaps, we can all agree.

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