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

Schools will compete to win a place in the final on Wednesday 1st April at the offices of Womble Bond Dickinson
Qualifying Round 1 – Monday 19th January
Host: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High, Tongue Lane, LS6 4QE

 

15:30 – DEBATE 1: Smartphones should be banned in the classroom
FOR
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High
AGAINST
Abbey Grange CofE Academy
JUDGES
Charles Brickdale, former English & RE Teacher
Dan Cohen, Lord Mayor of Leeds
Russell Thomas, Assistant Director, HMRC
16:40 – DEBATE 2: Tech companies should act to stop online misinformation and hate speech
FOR
Abbey Grange CofE Academy
AGAINST
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High
JUDGES
Justine Brian, Director, Civitas Schools
Ruby Hornsby, IDEA Ethics Centre, UoL
Robert Laverick, Senior Lecturer in Leeds
17:45 – RESULTS
WINNING SCHOOL: Abbey Grange CofE Academy
BEST INDIVIDUAL: Megan Walmsley, Abbey Grange Academy
Qualifying Round 2 – Wednesday 21st January
Host: Guiseley School, Fieldhead Road, Guiseley, LS20 8DT

 

15:30 – DEBATE 1: Smartphones should be banned in the classroom
FOR
Guiseley School Yr10
AGAINST
Guiseley School Yr9 (replace withdrawn school)
JUDGES
Chris Calvert, former Leeds Councillor
Michele Ledda, The Leeds Salon
Paul Butterworth, NHS England
16:40 – DEBATE 2: Tech companies should act to stop online misinformation and hate speech
FOR
Guiseley School Yr11 (replace withdrawn school)
AGAINST
Guiseley School Yr10
JUDGES
Paul Butterworth, NHS England
Ian Cram, former Professor of Law
Simon Kirchin, IDEA Ethics Centre
17:45 – RESULTS
WINNING SCHOOL: Guiseley School Yr9 Team
BEST INDIVIDUAL: Megan Hern, Guiseley Yr9 Team
Qualifying Round 3 – Thursday 22nd January
Host: Carr Manor Community School, Carr Manor Road, LS17 5DJ

 

15:30 – DEBATE 1: Smartphones should be banned in the classroom
FOR
Carr Manor Community School
AGAINST
Roundhay School
JUDGES
Feona Carmichael, former Principle Lecturer, Law
Dan Clayton, The Leeds Salon
Nat Edwards, Royal Armouries Museum
16:40 – DEBATE 2: Tech companies should act to stop online misinformation and hate speech
FOR
Roundhay School
AGAINST
Carr Manor Community School
JUDGES
Feona Carmichael, former Principle Lecturer, Law
Nat Edwards, Royal Armouries Museum
Sarah Goodfellow, Imperial War Museum
17:45 – RESULTS
WINNING SCHOOLS: Carr Manor Community School
BEST INDIVIDUAL: Grace Dunigan, Carr Manor School
Qualifying Round 4 – Thursday 29th January
Host: Mount St Mary’s Catholic High, Ellerby Road, LS9 8LA

 

15:30 – DEBATE 1: Smartphones should be banned in the classroom
FOR
Mount St Mary’s Catholic High
AGAINST
UTC Leeds
JUDGES
Jo Caswell, Creative Project Consultant
Simon Hill, Company Secretary, YPO
Razvan Popa, Womble Bond Dickinson
16:40 – DEBATE 2: Tech companies should act to stop online misinformation and hate speech
FOR
UTC Leeds
AGAINST
Mount St Mary’s Catholic High
JUDGES
Dan Clayton, The Leeds Salon
Michael Crowley, Writer & Dramatist
Chris Hill, Secretary, The Arcade
17:45 – RESULTS
WINNING SCHOOL: Mount St Mary’s Catholic High
BEST INDIVIDUAL: Markh Yosief, Mount St Mary’s

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