In September 2000, ESU Scotland launched the National Juniors’ Debating Competition – the first ever national schools debating competition for Scottish secondary school students in years 1-3. The competition is now in its seventh year.

Since 2004/5, the competition has been generously sponsored by ASDA plc.

The 2007/8 competition as attracted a record entry of 128 teams – up from 113 teams last year. The evidence of the growing strength of schools debating in Scotland is most encouraging, and owes not a little to the success of the Debates Outreach Projects that ESU Scotland as been running with local authorities across Scotland since 2005. Many of the teams now taking part in debating competitions have come through the Outreach Projects.

Over the next few weeks, the regional finals of the Juniors Competition are taking place on the motion This House Believes Footballers’ Wages Should Be Capped. The final will take place on Saturday May 31st at The Scottish Parliament.

To get through to regional final, the pupils have debated the following motions:

Round 1 - This House Would Legalise Performance Enhancing Drugs In Sport
Round 2 – This House Would Renationalise The Railways
Round 3 – This House Would Restore The Death Penalty

The reigning champions are Georgina Barker and Hannah Mackaness of George Heriot’s School.

If you would like further information about the ESU Juniors, please do get in contact with Rob Marrs.


ESU Schools Mace

ESU Scotland also assists in running the ESU Schools Mace, a competition organised by the Centre for Speech and Debate based at the English-Speaking Union in London.

In 2007, the Scottish Champions were Netan Dogra and Kenny Nicoll of Grove Academy beating George Heriot’s School, Stewart’s Melville College and Hutcheson’s Grammar School.
The champions of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales then go forward to debate in the International Schools Mace Final. The 2007 final was held in the House of Lords – the first time the Chamber of the House of Lords has been used for a non-parliamentary event. In a gripping final, Grove Academy became International Champions. In the competition’s 50 year history, this was the first victory for a Scottish state school.

The 2008 Scottish Champions are Hannah Mackaness and Georgina Barker of George Heriot’s who defeated Uddingston Grammar School, Morrison’s Academy and Stewart Academy in the Scottish Final. The Heriot’s team will face the English, Irish and Welsh Champions in the International Mace Final on May 10th at Liverpool Town Hall.

This competition is primarily for older secondary school students (although there is no lower age limit) and is entered by more than 400 teams throughout England and Scotland each year.

For further information, please contact James Probert at the ESU in London.