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


QUALIFYING ROUND 1 – Wednesday 18th January

Venue: Carr Manor Community School, Carr Manor Road, Leeds, LS17 5DJ

Schools and judges to arrive at school from 3pm

15:15 – DEBATE 1 – “In the digital age, we should not expect our online activities to remain private”

FOR: Carr Manor Community School
AGAINST: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High

JUDGES
Paul Butterworth
, NHS Digital
Ruby Hornsby
, University of Leeds
Russell Thomas
, HMRC


16:25 – DEBATE 2 – “Britain should pay reparations for its colonial past”

FOR: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High
AGAINST: Carr Manor Community School

JUDGES
Paul Butterworth
, NHS Digital
Dan Clayton
, The Leeds Salon
Jake Unsworth, Womble Bond Dickinson


17:40 – RESULTSWINNING SCHOOL: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High & BEST INDIVIDUAL: Frankie Hird, Carr Manor Community School



QUALIFYING ROUND 2* – Thursday 2nd February

Venue: Abbey Grange CofE Academy, Butcher Hill, Leeds, LS16 5EA

Schools and judges to arrive at school from 3pm

15:15 – DEBATE 1 – “In the digital age, we should not expect our online activities to remain private”

FOR: Abbey Grange Team A
AGAINST: Abbey Grange Team B (Winners)

JUDGES
Dan Clayton
, The Leeds Salon
John Connor
, Womble Bond Dickinson
Mark Rowlinson
, First Actuarial


16:25 – DEBATE 2 – “Britain should pay reparations for its colonial past”

FOR: Abbey Grange Team C (Winners)
AGAINST: Abbey Grange Team D

JUDGES
Dan Clayton
,The Leeds Salon
Philip Kiszely
, University of Leeds
Jake Unsworth
, Womble Bond Dickinson


*The opposing school had to withdraw. But Abbey Grange put forward additional teams to turn it into their own internal debating competition between 4 teams of 2 students each. The judges had to decide the winners of each debate and then who they thought were the overall winning team.

17:40 – RESULTS – WINNING SCHOOL: Abbey Grange Team C were declared overall winners & BEST INDIVIDUAL: Caitlin Small, Abbey Grange Team A



QUALIFYING ROUND 3 – Wednesday 8th February

Venue: Mount St Mary’s Catholic High, Ellerby Road, Leeds, LS9 8LA

Schools and judges to arrive at school from 3pm

15:15 – DEBATE 1 – “In the digital age, we should not expect our online activities to remain private”

FOR: Mount St Mary’s Catholic High
AGAINST: UTC Leeds

JUDGES
Feona Carmichael, University of Law
Sarah Field, Leeds City Councillor
Aylaia Tombros-MvIvor, Government Legal Department


16:25 – DEBATE 2 – “Britain should pay reparations for its colonial past”

FOR: UTC Leeds
AGAINST: Mount St Mary’s Catholic High

JUDGES
Dan Cohen
, Leeds City Councillor
Nat Edwards
, Royal Armouries
Aylaia Tombros-MvIvor, Government Legal Department


17:40 – RESULTS – WINNING SCHOOL: Mount St Mary’s Catholic High & BEST INDIVIDUAL: Naemi Asmerom, Mount St Mary’s



QUALIFYING ROUND 4 – Monday 20th February

Venue: Guiseley School, Fieldhead Road, Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 8DT

Schools and judges to arrive at school from 3:15pm

15:45 – DEBATE 1 – “In the digital age, we should not expect our online activities to remain private”

FOR: Guiseley School
AGAINST: St Mary’s Menston

JUDGES
Paul Butterworth, NHS Digital
Simon Cooke, Ex-Bradford Councillor
Simon Pilling, Womble Bond Dickinson


16:50 – DEBATE 2 – “Britain should pay reparations for its colonial past”

FOR: St Mary’s Menston
AGAINST: Guiseley School

JUDGES
Una Barry
, Voice & Singing Teacher
Annabel Carington
, Carington Creative
Dan Clayton
, The Leeds Salon


18:00– RESULTSWINNING SCHOOL: St Mary’s Menston & BEST INDIVIDUAL: Daniel Garfield, Guiseley School