Teenagers across Oldham have been proving that open, honest discussion is alive and well after taking part in two high level debating competitions in a single day.
Students from Blue Coat, Crompton House, Hulme Grammar, and Oldham Sixth Form College came together at The Hive in The Spindles Shopping Centre for the third annual Debating Matters competition. Teams tackled tough, real-world questions around the ethics of artificial intelligence and where to draw the line between hate speech and free expression.
After hours of intense debate in front of a local panel of judges, including the Mayor, university lecturers, town councillors, and business owners, Oldham Sixth Form College claimed first place, with student Ava Howorth taking home the overall Best Debater award.
Reflecting on the victory, Ben Shelton, Course Leader at Oldham Sixth Form College, said:
"The Oldham Debating Competition is a fantastic annual event. It provides our students with a valuable opportunity to develop their confidence, practise public speaking and gain experience in presenting and defending their ideas. These are invaluable skills that will help prepare them for university interviews and many of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
"We are incredibly proud of our students for taking home the winning title this year, with Ava Howorth also being awarded Best Overall Debater! A huge congratulations and well done to our fantastic Debate Team - Mitchell, Dakota, Ava and Manigbe. A brilliant achievement and thoroughly deserved!"
On the very same day, Year 11 pupils from Hulme Grammar took to the screens to launch the inaugural 'D-Ashes', an international online debate against St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls in Perth, Australia. Named in a nod to cricket’s famous rivalry, the Perth team secured a 2-0 victory after two tightly contested motions, with judges praising the high quality of arguments presented by both schools. Adding a truly global twist, the judging panel featured former Hulme pupils who are now living and working in Australia and China.
Praising the spirit of the event, Helen Thompson, Dean of School Operations & Co-curricular at St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls in Perth, Australia, said:
"Our girls really enjoyed taking part and are already asking if we can do it again next year. Watching both sides present was fantastic, but what stood out most was seeing the students from both schools chatting so warmly while the judges were deliberating. It was wonderful to see such friendly international connections being built."
Hulme Grammar School facilitated both events as part of its ongoing outreach work through the Victoria Channing Centre for Pastoral Care and Wellbeing.
Dr Chris Millington, Head of Science and Outreach Lead at Hulme Grammar School, said:
"These debating events are a fantastic example of what the Victoria Channing Centre for Pastoral Care and Wellbeing is all about. Our aim is to bring young people together and help them build the confidence, resilience, and skills needed to become engaged, positive citizens.
"By encouraging pupils to appreciate different points of view and work constructively together regardless of their background, whether here in Oldham or across the globe in Australia, we are helping to equip them with essential life skills for an increasingly complex world."
