The Womble Bond Dickinson / Leeds Salon Years 10&11 Debating Competition 2025 Final
Wednesday 2nd April 2025
The final of our annual debating competition for years 10&11 students takes place at the offices of Headline Partner and leading transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, in which the three the qualifying round winners will compete to be crowned 2025 champions. This is the 12th year of the competition, which uses the sixth form Debating Matters format.
Headline Partner: Womble Bond Dickinson (Leeds)
Prize Sponsors: Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds), IDEA Centre (University of Leeds) and UKREiiF
15:00 – Debate 1: ‘Humanity should fear advances in artificial intelligence‘
For: Carr Manor Community School
Against: Abbey Grange CofE Academy
Judges:
Paul Butterworth, NHS England
David Cole, Womble Bond Dickinson
Ruby Hornsby, University of Leeds, IDEA
16:10 – Debate 2: ‘Western museums should repatriate culture artefacts‘
For: Guiseley School
Against: Carr Manor Community School
Judges:
Annabel Carington, The Firmament
Nat Edwards, Royal Armouries Museum
Mark Westgarth, University of Leeds, FAHACS
17:15 – Break
17:40 – Debate 3: ‘Assisted dying should be legalised‘
For: Abbey Grange CofE Academy
Against: Guiseley School
Judges:
Dan Clayton, The Leeds Salon
John Connor, Womble Bond Dickinson
Denise Fahmy, Freedom in the Arts
18:45-19:15 – Results
Best Individual:
Highly Commended:
Commended Individual:
Individual Judges:
Jo Caswell (Lead IJ), Creative Project Consultant
Julia Bryson, BBC Yorkshire News Journalist
Ruby Hornsby, University of Leeds, IDEA
Razvan Popa, Womble Bond Dickinson
Russell Thomas, HM Revenue & Customs
2025 Champions:
Headline Partner
Prize Sponsors
