Cobham Hall's debating teams attended a Debating Workshop at Dulwich College on Tuesday 30 January 2007.  On 27 February, they will be going to St John's School, Leatherhead to compete in the South East Regional round of the ESU Schools' Debating competition.

The aim of the ESU is to develop the essential skills of speech and debate, through an international programme of training and participation.  From workshops in primary schools to highly competitive University debating competitions, the ESU offers opportunities and resources at all levels.  The winners in each competition progress to later rounds of these prestigious national competitions.

Dr Josephine Payne, who runs the school's Debating and Public Speaking Societies, stressed the value of these competitions.  “Teams in the Public Speaking competition comprise a Speaker, a Chairperson and a Questioner.  The team is therefore required to demonstrate a range of key speaking skills.  The Debating Competition is organised according to Parliamentary rules, encouraging the debaters to develop the skills essential to democracy.”