Debating Ends The Year With Two Exceptional Events

6 August 2026

A busy and successful year of debating concluded with two outstanding final events at the end of the Summer Term.

A very strong Year 9 performance from all the houses produced a fantastic final between proposition Tallis – Cameron M, Will R and Oscar B-H – and opposition Edinburgh – Jemima P, Kitty R and Tilly C – contesting the motion: As the USA commemorates 250 years of independence in 2026, this House finds more to regret than to celebrate. The adjudicators split two votes to one in favour of Tallis who lifted the Carolyn Thomas Trophy for the fourth time since 2017.

Pullo W concluded the term by organising a second highly successful Lord Denning Competition which saw pupils from across Year 9-12 placing a number of controversial Americans – Robert E Lee, Henry Kissinger and Harry S Truman – on trial. Judges Reverend Branford and Mr Kinder were impressed with the comprehensive research and well-crafted arguments constructed by the prosecution and defence in all three cases.