Ardingly  Debating Team Are Tops – No Debate !

Ardingly students have proved to have winning ways when it comes to arguing the pros and cons.

The school’s debating team travelled to London, accompanied by Economics and Business teacher Mr Daniel Davies, for the regional finals of Debating Matters.

Not only did all individual team members walk away with prizes, but the team was declared London and South regional champions, after winning every one of their three debates on the day.

The prizewinning team of Jonathan DeVecchi-Freeman, Josh Deery, Elliot Taylor, Jess Cufley, Alex Kellas and Matt Marsh walked away with £1000-worth of book tokens for the College.

Jonathan DeVecchi-Freeman also won the overall Best Individual Debater. 

The teams faced tough competition from a range of schools including Thomas Tallis School, Camden School for Girls and The Holt School.

With a breathtaking use of historical knowledge, scientific fact and emotional argument the teams won all of their debates.  They argued that ‘America is not dumbing down world culture’, ‘Attempts to radically extend the human lifespan should be welcomed, not feared’ and that ‘The UK should apologise for its past role in the slave trade’.

Ardingly College will now represent the region, as London and South champions, at the prestigious three-day National Final, to be held in London, in June.  The teams hope to continue their unbeaten run and secure the Debating Matters trophy, against the seven other top debating schools in the country.