This page provides detailed guidance on competing in the Wales Schools Debating Championships.
Whether you’re a beginner who wants to ensure you don’t miss out, or an experienced debater looking to improve your skills, this is the page for you. At present, our debating resources are available in English only.
All schools that compete in our tournament are now provided with a set of 10 cards, which provide all of the basic information and advice that will help you to achieve success in the tournament. The cards are freely photocopiable, and may be cut up and used as ‘cue cards’ for practice sessions. You can download colour versions here:
This is the latest version of our full Debating Handbook, now available as on online resource only. The Handbook will help you to develop a detailed understanding of what judges look for in a successful debate. It also provides the full rules of the Wales Schools Debating Championships, advice for judges and debate chairs, and guidance on setting up a debating club in school.
Note to experienced schools:
Please note that this is a new edition of our Handbook for 2011. Most of the changes are in the form of updated advice, but there is one change to the rules: during Summation speeches, the bell is no longer rung at 1 minute; it is rung once at 3 minutes and twice at 4 minutes.
We can offer the following resources related to debating (in English only).
Produced by Media4Schools, this DVD contains a full-length debate in Wales Schools Debating Championships format. The students featured, debating the motion “This House would negotiate with terrorists”, were competitors in the 2008 World Championships. There is an introduction by their coach, and explanatory subtitles highlight important features of the debate. To order a copy, please e-mail us.
» Price: £8 per copy (Affiliate Members) / £10 per copy (non-members), including postage
Ideas for getting your students debating in the classroom. Free.
» Download now (225Kb)
36-minute film about the 2006 World Schools Debating Championships, hosted by CEWC-Cymru's parent body, the Welsh Centre for International Affairs. The film was made by students working with Media4Schools. To order a copy, please e-mail us.
» Price: £12 including postage