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22nd November 2021

Oakham School Senior Inter-house Debating Semi-Finals

This term saw a remodelled version of inter-house debating, with the senior competition featuring 6th and 7th form competing together, with seventh formers returning to their old houses.

There was a wide variety of motions in this year’s competition, with pupils debating questions that held great pertinence to their own lives and to that of wider society, debating issues such as:

“The performing arts industry was failed by the UK government during the Covid-19 pandemic”

“Environmental protestors [such as Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion] do more harm than good”

“This House would immediately initiate a six-week lockdown to save Christmas”.

Last Thursday saw the Semi-Finals of the competition, with Stevens, Barrow, Hambleton and Clipsham, all vying for a place in the final. Stevens v Barrow started proceedings, debating whether “This House would introduce cohort quotas based on race, gender and disability in UK private schools”. Both teams put forward insightful arguments, with Barrow (the proposing team) narrowly winning to secure their place in the final. The following match saw Hambleton take on Clipsham, debating “This House would not go to university”. After rigorous arguments from both sides, Clipsham (the opposing side) came out the victors, to establish a Barrow v Clipsham final.

The Final will be on the 2nd December in the Wilson Auditorium. An audience is most welcome, with the Final featuring a slight change in format, with questions being taken from the floor as opposed to solely the judges.

Report by History Fellow, Joshua Arnold

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