An insight into ESU Debating

An insight into ESU Debating – Adam Warren

School Debating, education, rhs Adam Warren December 5, 2018 0 Comments

Last Friday, RHS hosted the first round of the English Speaking Union (ESU) School’s Mace debating competition. Seemingly insignificant for many of the RHS community, the ESU and the Mace competition are actually two really big organisations and events respectively.

The English-Speaking Union is an international educational charity which was founded by the journalist Sir Evelyn Wrenchin 1918 that aims to bring together and empower people of different languages and cultures, by building skills and confidence in communication, such that individuals realise their potential. With 35 branches in the United Kingdom and over 50 international ESUs in countries around the world, the ESU carries out a variety of activities such as debating, public speaking and student exchange programmes, runs conferences and seminars, and offers scholarships, to encourage the effective use of the English language around the globe.

The ESU Mace is one of the most respected debating competitions with former winners taking seats in Governments both in the UK and the USA, as well as high ranking civil positions, newspaper editors and even two former MI6 Directors!

The English Schools Mace winners 2018 (Wellington College) and 1975 (Ampleforth College).

Each year schools compete through two progressive rounds following a regional final before the national final in London, where the 12 Regional Winners compete in two rooms to win a place in the national final. Beyond that come the UK Championships with the winners of the Welsh, Irish, Scottish and English competitions fighting for the UK title., a competition stemmed in history.

For the past two years RHS has held the Eastern Counties trophy, placing it as one of the best 12 schools in England and last Friday won a place in the second interim round, placing it a step closer to holding the glass trophies (that sit in the West Assembly Hall corridor in the trophy cabinet) once again. Former teams started with Sophie Atkinson (An/NL) and Jamie Fosker (RL/NL) followed by Nick Paddon (CWS/NL) and myself (HK) with this year resting on Alex Jackson (HD) and myself once again. The competition even saw former RHS teacher and debating legend, Mr Christmas who competed in the Mace as a pupil himself, wining his region and, like both RHS teams so far, not progressing out of the first room at Nationals.

RHS last year with the Regional Trophy, a horrific photo in my personal opinion.

Debating, oracy, the ability to rationalise, argue and use words effectively is such a vital skill set and I would encourage you all, Staff and pupils alike to try to speak publicly at least once this year, from Chapel, Assembly to DeLaybourne Debates (there are still at least 7 left), the Mock Trial competition (which RHS won the national title for last year), inter house debating and public speaking (which is well underway now) or even writing your opinions and ideas down for the RHS Bubble. It is actually the case that the Staff are far more afraid of all this speaking malarkey than the pupil body and thus I would really encourage any and all to give it a go this year and if not, well at least support others and come and learn, watch debates and listen to ideas and opinions, read widely and grow your perspective outside of what it already is.