The final debate of the highly anticipated North Somerset Debating Competition was held last week at Gordano School, and it proved to be an exciting and memorable event. With the motion "Should the UK government introduce a wealth tax?" at the heart of the debate, both teams in the final took a firm stance opposing the motion.

Eight teams competed in the final, representing a diverse range of schools across North Somerset. The event reached its peak with a special surprise for the finalists—an inspiring video message from the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who congratulated the students for their achievements and shared words of encouragement, making the occasion even more special.

The panel of judges for the event was drawn from local business sponsors, including Utilita and Bristol Airport, who brought a wealth of expertise and experience to the proceedings.

Winners and Highlights

The overall winners of the competition were students Ethan and Andreas from Gordano School, whose exceptional debating skills earned them a well-deserved victory. In addition to their win, Ethan was recognised as the runner-up for Best Individual Performance in the final, showcasing his talent and dedication. As a prize, Ethan and Andreas will be treated to an exclusive trip to Parliament, offering them a unique opportunity to witness the inner workings of UK politics firsthand. The prize money, which they won, will be donated to the school.

We are incredibly proud of all three Gordano teams who participated in the competition: Gemma, Jonah, Isla, Amelia, Ethan, and Andreas. Each of them demonstrated remarkable courage and skill in the face of tough competition, representing their school with pride. With some of the region’s best debaters competing, including formidable opponents from other schools across the constituency of North Somerset, the event proved to be both daunting and thrilling.

A special mention goes to Ethan for his memorable analogy of buttered parsnips during his speech, which was worthy of a parliamentarian's maiden address. It was moments like these that made the final so engaging and showed just how much potential lies within these young debaters.

Gratitude and Acknowledgements

Dan Eastwood, Head of Humanities at Gordano School said: "The event would not have been possible without the incredible support of Sadik Al-Hassan MP and his team, who have breathed new life into this long-standing North Somerset tradition. Their commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and public speakers is invaluable, and we are grateful for their efforts. A big thank you also goes to Gordano teachers Bec Griffiths and Max Stops who volunteered their time to support."

We look forward to seeing the continued success of all the participants and are excited to see what the future holds for our local debaters.