Debating

Our Wales Schools Debating Championships takes place every year. We invite all secondary schools and colleges to enter a team of 2 people for the competition.

Topics debated in previous years include nuclear power, scrapping exams, juvenile crime and the war in Iraq.

Here's how it works:

1. Send in an entry form (June-September). You'll need a teacher to do this - ask them to contact us.

2. We'll send your debating topic and details about your round (September).

3. Prepare for your debate - practice makes perfect! To help you prepare, we run Debate Training Days in September, and can also provide a workshop at your school.

4. Take part in your Regional Round (October). There are 8 rounds, taking place all over Wales.

5. If you don't win, we'll send you some helpful feedback. If you do, you go forward to the national Quarter-Finals (November). The Semi-Finals are on the same day.

6. The Final takes place at the end of November.

7. The winners, plus three other students, represent Wales at the World Schools Debating Championships! This tournament is hosted by a different country each year. It came to Wales in 1995 and 2006, and the next one will take place in Washington, D.C. in September 2008.