The reputation of this very worthwhile event is growing. It is encouraging to recieve feedback from schools who have taken part previously that they are now entering teams for national debating competitions and forming their own debate societies within the schools. This years Final took place on 4th March 2020 and was judged by HHJ Jonathan Bennett, President of the Derby and District Law Society Martin Salt and Sue Jennings, Head of Law at the University of Derby. Joe, Gracie, James and Emmy from Chellaston School emerged victorious over Rhea, Rosie, Girish and Krish from Littleover Community School in a close and entertaining debate about the English justice system. Congratulations to all the pupils who took part in the competition and the staff who worked so hard to support them.
The heats started back in December with 11 teams from 7 Derby City Schools taking part. The standard of debating has continued to rise and the children have taken onboard the feedback they are given at each stage of the competition. Some young lawyers from local firms were able to visit schools in the Autumn to introduce the competition and talk to the children about speaking in public generally. Students from the Law and Business Schools at the University then helped the children present their arguments and prepare generally. One of the students also kindly stood in at the last minute on two of the debates.
The competition has, once again, been organized by the Derby and District Law Society, E4E and The University of Derby Law School. The project is a great example of organizations working well together and what can be acheived with lots of time but very little financial input.
The debates have been judged by law lecturers from Derby University and Derby solicitors and all have been inpressed by how enthusiastic the children and staff have been and by the high standard of the debating.
A massive THANK YOU to everyone who gave up their time to make this project such a fantastic success.
