Sixth Form Debating Competition 2025
in Partnership with The Leeds Salon
Sponsored by UKREiiF
Using the Debating Matters format
Prize Sponsors:
Addlestone Keane Law | Comedy Unleashed | Debating Matters | IDEA: The Ethics Centre | YPO Procurement
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
Robbie Arrell, University of Leeds IDEA
Justine Brian, Civitas & Debating Matters
Simon Hill, YPO Procurement Holdings
CHAIR
Chloe Rycroft, Royal Armouries Museum
FOR
AGAINST
JUDGES
Paul Butterworth, NHS England
Michele Ledda, The Leeds Salon
Christina Nick, University of Leeds IDEA
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
Dan Clayton, The Leeds Salon
Tristan Langlois, Royal Armouries Museum
Nathan Spencer, UKREiiF
CHAIR
Chloe Rycroft, Royal Armouries Museum
FOR
AGAINST
JUDGES
James Bywood, UKREiiF
Florence Symington, Royal Amouries Museum
Mark Westgarth, University of Leeds
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
Notre Dame Sixth Form Catholic College
AGAINST – Winners of Debate 2
JUDGES
Dan Clayton, The Leeds Salon
Simon Kay OBE, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Tristan Langlois, Royal Armouries Museum
CHAIR
Chloe Rycroft, Royal Armouries Museum
FOR – Winners of Debate 1
AGAINST – Winners of Debate 2
JUDGES
Paul Butterworth, NHS England
Michele Ledda, The Leeds Salon
Christina Nick, University of Leeds IDEA
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
News Room
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), Debbie Addlestone, LLAA; Robbie Arrell, IDEA; Paul Butterworth, NHS England; Dan Clayton, Leeds Salon; Monika Saganowska, Royal Armouries
LEEDS SALON INDIVIDUAL PRIZE JUDGES
Michele Ledda (Lead LSIP), Justine Brian, Paul Butterworth, Dan Clayton
16:30 – 16:55 – Results
WINNING SCHOOL: Abbey Grange CofE Academy
RUNNERS-UP: Bradford Grammar School
BEST INDIVIDUAL: Ruth Rudman, Abbey Grange CofE Academy
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Iris Podesta, Guiseley School
COMMENDED INDIVIDUAL: Nathan Powley, Abbey Grange CofE Academy
LEEDS SALON INDIVIDUAL PRIZE: Eliza Salmon, Guiseley School
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