Public Speaking and Debating

Why debate?

So, what is debating all about? Debating is the ability to present a constructive argument, regardless of personal opinion, either for or against on topical issues: moral, legal or political. Teams have a mere fifteen minutes to prepare their speeches. Consequently, in order to succeed, debaters must be able to think on their feet, and work well with their partner. Debating also develops the ability to speak with confidence in front of large audiences.

These vital skills outlined above are extremely important for university admissions. In particular at Oxbridge, admissions tutors look for the ability to present a logical argument. Equally, the ability to spot assertions and fallacies in arguments is of great use in the new LNAT (law admissions test). At the Durham International Schools Competitions, which CLS recently attended, seventeen of the nineteen best S6th speakers were offered places to study at Oxbridge. It will also come as no surprise that the highest LNAT score in the country, 23/25, has been achieved by a debater – the national average being just 13/25!

Debating at CLS

There are three lunch-time debating clubs for different age groups, and these run throughout the year.  There are also two annual House Debating Competitions.

We enter a large number of external tournaments, frequently with some success.  Recently these have included the competitions run by the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Durham and Bristol, the English Speaking Union's Schools' Mace, the Debate Chamber Schools' Cup and the International Competition for Young Debaters.  City teams also took part in Public Speaking competitions run by the ESU and the Rotary.

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