The inaugural Haberdashers’ Debating Competition

With a rich tradition in public speaking, Haberdashers’ Adams was honoured to host the inaugural secondary school Habs Debating Competition, part of the Haberdashers Advantage Character programme.

Debating is embedded in the school’s culture with pupils sharpening their oratory skills in the Adams’ Debating Society – the oldest society at the school, so it was fitting that Adams that hosted our first ever Debating Competition. 

Over the years, the society has witnessed spirited debate on a wide range of topics, all presided over with the aid of a 70-year-old gavel. Pupils regularly participate in Rotary and English Schools Union competitions, often achieving notable success. The Corbyn Cup, named after Old Novaportan Jeremy Corbyn (class of 1967), is awarded annually to the winners of House Debating.

The Habs’ Debating Competition followed ESU format. Teams of three presented structured arguments, engaged in rebuttals, and responded to questions from the audience. Points were earned for expression and delivery, reasoning and evidence, and the strength of rebuttals.

Teams from Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby, Haberdashers’ Adams, Haberdashers’ Borough Academy, Haberdashers’ Elstree Boys, Haberdashers’ Elstree Girls, Haberdashers’ Knights Academy and Haberdashers’ Monmouth School took part.

Motions included “this house would legalise assisted suicide” to “this house would introduce a mandatory 4-day week”. The debates were very engaging – motions were well-researched and contested with rigour; pupils spoke eloquently and with passion; questions from the audience were well considered.

Given the high calibre of debate, judging proved to be a challenging task. Ultimately, Habs Knights was placed third with their proposition on lowering the voting age to sixteen. Habs Borough placed second with a compelling opposition to “This house would nationalise all energy supplies”. The top honour went to Habs Adams 1, who won the inaugural Habs Debating Cup with their persuasive case for the abolition of national testing at the end of KS4 (GCSEs).