College staff were very excited to take a small group of students to the House of Commons on Thursday for the final of the South East Cambridgeshire annual inter-school debating competition. Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, adjudicated whilst Head of Criminal Justice, Sir Brian Leveson, judged the debate.
The final follows first rounds of debating in the seven senior schools across the constituency. Lucy Frazer judged these rounds and chose Alex Lee and Evie Ambler to represent WVC. Fellow Year 10 students William Hinch, Alison Peacock and Thomas Hales accompanied the finalists to Westminster to watch some lively debates and speak from the floor.
Alex took part in the first debate and the motion was this house believes that referendums are a good way of making political decisions. He was in a team of four against the motion and came over very well, putting forward his convincing arguments without referring to notes. Evie confidently took part in the second exciting debate; this house believes that the use of mobile phones and tablets should be permitted in the classroom.
Sir Brian Leveson judged Alex as the winner after the two debates had concluded. Lucy Frazer MP, who started the competition in 2014, said, “I am extremely proud of the students who took part in this year’s debate. Listening to one another and being able to make reasoned arguments are both important life skills and I have been encouraged year-on-year by the high quality of debate and the support the competition has received from both students and teachers.
“The standard of this year’s debate was outstanding and my congratulations go to this year’s South East Cambridgeshire senior school debating champion Alex Lee, from Witchford Village College, as well as runners up Georgia Gabb from Ely College, George Collier from King’s Ely, and Gemma Bridges from Soham Village College”.
Alex Lee said, “It was a lot of fun, we saw a few famous faces including Andrea Leadsom. I also really enjoyed debating, the others were really good and it was an honour to meet Sir Leveson”.
Press release from Witchford Village College
