Stamford duo talk their way to national competition finals

Two Year 12 students at Stamford School have become the East Midlands champions in the regional final of the English-Speaking Union Schools’ (ESU) Debating Mace hosted by Stamford Endowed Schools and will attend the national finals at the end of the month.
Tom Watson and Oscar Dixon-SpainTom Watson and Oscar Dixon-Spain
Tom Watson and Oscar Dixon-Spain

Having successfully navigated the first two rounds of the competition, the team (Oscar Dixon-Spain and Tom Watson) survived tough competition from five other schools in the region, including Uppingham, Oundle and Stowe, to win the title.

Tom and Oscar have worked together as a debating team since Year 9.

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Anna England-Kerr, the adjudicator and head of ESU Debate Education, praised their teamwork, persuasive delivery and engagement with the arguments in the debate.

The team are now looking forward to a trip to the national finals at Dartmouth House, the ESU Headquarters in London, where they will take part in a semi-final and compete for a place in the grand final.

Karen Leetch, Head of Debating at Stamford, praised the team for their hard work and commitment: “I’m delighted by the result. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the team to have the experience of attending the national finals of this prestigious competition and a first for Stamford School debating”.

Pictures: Left to right: Tom Watson and Oscar Dixon-Spain