Womble Bond Dickinson / Leeds Salon Years 10&11 Debating Competition 2026 Final

Wednesday 1st April 2026

The final takes place at the Womble Bond Dickinson Leeds offices between the four qualifying round winners
This is the 13th year of the competition, which uses the Debating Matters format

Prize Sponsors: Royal Armouries Museum | IDEA: The Ethics Centre | UKREiiF | Debating Matters
15:00 – DEBATE 1: Unhealthy lifestyles are not the business of government

FOR
Abbey Grange CofE Academy
AGAINST
Guiseley School

JUDGES
Robbie Arrell, IDEA: The Ethics Centre
Tarjinder Gill, Outwood Grange Academies Trust
Razvan Popa, Womble Bond Dickinson
CHAIR: Paul Thomas
16:10 – DEBATE 2: We should build on the green belt

FOR
Carr Manor Community School
AGAINST
Mount St Mary’s Catholic High

JUDGES
Dan Clayton, The Leeds Salon
Ruby Hornsby, IDEA: The Ethics Centre
Russell Thomas, HM Revenue & Customs
CHAIR: Justine Brian
17:15 – BREAK
17:40 – FINAL: Britain should pay reparations for its colonial past

FOR
Guiseley School
AGAINST
Carr Manor Community School

JUDGES
Justine Brian, Civitas & DM Ambassador
John Connor, Womble Bond Dickinson
Nat Edwards, Royal Armouries Museum
CHAIR: Paul Thomas
18:45-19:15 – RESULTS
BEST INDIVIDUAL
Layla Qahwaji, Guiseley School

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Bella Middlemiss, Abbey Grange CofE Academy

COMMENDED INDIVIDUAL
Zephanial Mellor, Carr Manor Community School
INDIVIDUAL JUDGES
Jo Caswell, Project Consultant & Lead IJ
Dan Clayton, The Leeds Salon
Ruby Hornsby, IDEA: The Ethics Centre
Russell Thomas, HM Revenue & Customs
WINNER: Carr Manor Community School
RUNNER-UP: Guisley School

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