The Emmbrook School Triumphs in the Wokingham Schools Debating Competition

Last Thursday (the 8th November) saw Adam Connell and Dominic Lister of The Emmbrook School debate their way to victory in the final of the Wokingham Schools’ Parliamentary Debating Competition.

Proposing the motion that ‘The UN has failed to make or keep the peace’, Adam and Dominic provided the well researched arguments and quick witted delivery that the competition’s audiences have come to expect from the Emmbrook team.

Opposing the motion were Amber Anderson and Rebecca Knowlson of Luckley Oakfield School, whose incisive interventions and clearly formulated speeches kept the Emmbrook debaters on their toes.

Choosing a winning team at the end of such heated debate was likened by Donald MacDonald, Chairman of the Judges, to judging a boxing match: despite powerful blows from both sides, the competitors were still standing at the final bell, so it had to be awarded on points. Scoring was described as very close.

At the end of the evening, Adam and Dominic were awarded the John Redwood Cup. A multi-media projector for their school, courtesy of sponsors 3M, was presented to their teacher, Diana Collins.

Speaking after the event, John Redwood said: "There has been both fun and serious argument over the competition as a whole, debating everything from hugging a hoodie to Chelsea tractors, and from school exams to the work of the United Nations. Emmbrook have emerged as worthy winners, whilst Luckley Oakfield pushed them hard in the final. I look forward to welcoming both teams to the House of Commons."