Sixth Form Debating Competition 2025
in Partnership with The Leeds Salon
Using the Debating Matters format
Sponsors: t.b.a.
Tuesday 25th November 2025
10:15 – 10:30 – Welcome
10:30 | DEBATE 1 – Healthcare workers should not be allowed to strike
Group 1 – News Room
Group 2 – Learning Centre
FOR
Notre Dame Sixth Form Catholic College
AGAINST
JUDGES
Justine Brian, Civitas & Debating Matters
Robbie Arrell, University of Leeds IDEA
Name, org
CHAIR
Chloe Rycroft, Royal Armouries Museum
FOR
AGAINST
JUDGES
Paul Butterworth, NHS England
Name, Org
Name, org
CHAIR
Paul Thomas, The Leeds Salon
11:40 | DEBATE 2 – Corporate sponsorship is good for the arts
Group 1 – News Room
Group 2 – Learning Centre
FOR
AGAINST
JUDGES
Nathen Spencer, UKREiiF
Tarjinder Gill, Educationalist
Name, org
CHAIR
Chloe Rycroft, Royal Armouries Museum
FOR
AGAINST
JUDGES
James Bywood, UKREiiF
Florence Symington, Royal Amouries Museum
Name, org
CHAIR
Nick Thomas, Royal Armouries Museum
12:45 – Lunch & Announce Winners of Debates 1 & 2
13:30 | SEMI-FINALS – Populism is a threat to democracy
Group 1 – News Room
Group 2 – Learning Centre
FOR – Winners of Debate 1
School
AGAINST – Winners of Debate 2
School
JUDGES
Dan Clayton, The Leeds Salon
Tarjinder Gill, Educationalist
Name, org
CHAIR
Chloe Rycroft, Royal Armouries Museum
FOR – Winners of Debate 1
School
AGAINST – Winners of Debate 2
School
JUDGES
Annabel Carington, The Firmament
Michele Ledda, The Leeds Salon
Name, org
CHAIR
Nick Thomas, Royal Armouries Museum
14:40 – Refreshment Break & Announce Semi-Final Winners
15:15 | FINAL – Trial by jury should be removed in certain cases
FOR – Group 1 Winners
School
AGAINST – Group 2 Winners
School
JUDGES
Justine Brian, Civitas & Debating Matters
Matt Christie, UKREiiF
Nat Edwards, Royal Amouries Museum
CHAIR
Paul Thomas, The Leeds Salon
INDIVIDUAL JUDGES
Jo Caswell (Lead IJ), Dan Clayton (Leeds Salon) Debbie Addlestone (LLAA), Monika Saganowska (Royal Armouries), Paul Butterworth (NHS England), Rose Bibby (Royal Armouries), +Name.
LEEDS SALON INDIVIDUAL PRIZE JUDGES
Michele Ledda (Lead LSIJ), Dan Clayton, Justine Brian, Paul Butterworth