King's Crowned South West ESU Mace Debate Champions

At the end of February King’s was crowned the South West Champions in the ESU Mace debating competition. This is a fantastic achievement, and the three pupils involved are to be commended for getting so far in this competition while working remotely. This meant being organised and working independently with self-discipline and -motivation to prepare with only minimal input from staff.

There were six teams taking part in the South West Regional Final, and King’s competed directly against St Swithun’s School in Winchester. 

Tasked with opposing the motion, ‘This House believes national health decisions should be made by a panel of scientific experts rather than Government’, Lottie K was up  first, exploring the negative effects this motion would have on the nation’s attitude to their leaders, and the reasons why public policy has to take a broad, not focused, view.

Louis B extended the opposition case by considering the vital nature of accountability through election and the inefficiency of government through panel of experts. 

Summing up, Cameron B focused in particular on the advantages of democracy over technocracy and the many reasons why highly specialised scientists may not set the best public policy.

Lottie, Louis and Cameron are now looking forward to representing the South West to the best of their ability on Finals Day against 11 schools from the other UK regions.

Our Head of Sixth Form, Oliver Ridley, said: "Having been South West champions and missing out on competing in Finals Day last year due to Covid, we are all delighted to have the opportunity to compete at the highest level this year. Congratulations to the three students for their thorough research and excellent team work in preparation for the event!"

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