Debating Society wins first competition

Congratulations to Worth’s Senior Debating Society team for winning through in the opening round of the ESU Schools’ Mace competition.

This was the first time in a few years that Worth had competed in the Mace competition, which is the oldest and largest debating competition for secondary schools in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Competing online, Worth went up against Sevenoaks School as proposers on the motion, ‘This House believes that government economic policy should prioritise the collective happiness and wellbeing of the population over economic growth’ and they were judged to be the winners after a strong debate.

Worth also fielded a second team, known as a swing team, who were asked to step in after Covid forced some schools to withdraw. Swing teams could not progress but could have the benefit of the debating experience. Those competing in the two teams were fully supported by fellow members of the Senior Debating Society who acted as researchers, feeding the teams additional information and questions throughout the debate.

Head of English Mrs Dawn Clubb, who runs the Debating Society, said: “I could not be more proud of the work they have done. This was our very first competition and it is so exciting to be progressing to the next level. These students are to be congratulated for their hard work and the extra hours of practice they put into their speeches.”

The Debating Society will continue to meet on Saturday mornings during lockdown as part of our co-curriculum and academic enrichment programme.