The Womble Bond Dickinson / Leeds Salon Years 10&11 Debating Competition 2023 Final

Wednesday 29th March is the final of our annual debating competition for years 10&11 students, this year in partnership with leading transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson. when the four qualifying round winners compete to become 2023 champions at the Royal Armouries Museum. This is the 10th anniversary year of the competition, which is also include as one of 20 events to mark the 20th anniversary of Debating Matters, whose format we use.

Headline Partner: Womble Bond Dickinson (Leeds)
Venue Partner: Royal Armouries Museum
Prize Sponsors: Tectonic Interactive Ltd and University of Leeds’ Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied (IDEA) Centre

15:00 – DEBATE 1 – “The government should impose a duty of support for free speech in universities”  

FOR: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High
AGAINST: Abbey Grange CofE Academy

Judges:
Annabel Carington, Carington Creative
John Connor, Womble Bond Dickinson
Andy Shaw, Tectonic Interactive

16:10 – DEBATE 2 – “Unhealthy lifestyle are not the business of government”

FOR: Mount St Mary’s Catholic High
AGAINST: St Mary’s Menston

Judges:
Jim Baxter, University of Leeds
Dan Clayton, The Leeds Salon
Simon Kay OBE, University of Leeds

17:15 – Break

17:45 – FINAL –  “Western museums should repatriate cultural artefacts”

FOR: Debate 1 Winners – Cardinal Heenan Catholic High
AGAINST: Debate 2 Winners – St Mary’s Menston

Judges:
Nat Edwards, Royal Armouries Museum
Mo Lovatt, Debating Matters
Simon Pilling, Womble Bond Dickinson

19:00-19:30 – Judge’s Deliberations & Results

Individual Prize Judges: Jo Caswell, HarrogateBID / Wayne Dixon, Leeds City Councillor / Ruby Hornsby, University of Leeds IDEA / Florence Symington, Royal Armouries Museum / Jake Unsworth, Womble Bond Dickinson

2023 CHAMPIONS: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School

BEST INDIVIDUAL PRIZE: Korede Ayileka, Cardinal Heenan Catholic High

HIGHLY COMMENDED PRIZE: Sam Anteney, Cardinal Heenan Catholic High

COMMENDED INDIVIDUAL PRIZE: Dwija Kishorekumar, Abbey Grange CofE Academy