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The Great Debate 2026: Speeches
Multipage Article
The Great Debate concluded on 21 March 2026 in Central London following a thrilling day. The competition started in the autumn of 2025 with heats running across the UK and online until February 2026. The three semi-finals held online led to the 21 finalists who were invited to London for...
The Great Debate 2026: Speeches
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The Great Debate 2025: Speeches
Multipage Article
The final was held at the Vicar’s Hall at Windsor Castle on 29 March 2025, and attended by 20 finalists from across the UK. This year, each finalist needed to have taken part in a regional competition and one of three semi-final stages.
The competition question for this year was: How...
The Great Debate 2025: Speeches
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The Great Debate 2024: Speeches
Multipage Article
The final was held at the Vicars' Hall at Windsor Castle on 23 March 2024 and attended by 22 finalists from across the UK. This year each finalist needed to have taken part in a regional competition and one of three semi-final stages.
The competition question for this year was:...
The Great Debate 2024: Speeches
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The Great Debate 2023: Speeches
Multipage Article
The 2023 Great Debate final was held on 25 March at the Vicars' Hall, Windsor Castle. The question for young people to address was:
“Why does history matter to me?”
Across the course of the day the judges and audience listened to talks on the personal experiences of finalists’ relatives in the...
The Great Debate 2023: Speeches
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The Great Debate: Advice for Students
The Great Debate
In this short film from 2015 Heather Scott (former Deputy President of the HA and compere of our Great Debate Finals) & Martin Spafford (Judge from our London Heats) provide advice for prospective students who might want to take part in the Great Debate. Martin and Heather also explain what...
The Great Debate: Advice for Students
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What is the Great Debate?
The Great Debate
In this short film from 2015 Heather Scott (former Deputy President of the HA and compere of our Great Debate Finals) & Martin Spafford (Judge from our London Heats) introduce the Great Debate, talk about why students should get involved and discuss what they enjoy about the Great Debate.
What is the Great Debate?
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BBC Film of Belfast Great Debate Heat 2011
Great Debate Belfast Heat
In Autumn 2011 BBC Northern Ireland interviewed the contestants from our Great Debate Belfast Heat.
Click on the links below to find out more about these students and why history matters to them!
BBC Film of Belfast Great Debate Heat 2011
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Advice on Public Speaking
Podcast
At the Taunton/South West England heat of the Great Debate the head judge, Marcus Paul (Deputy Head of Queens College, Taunton), gave some valuable tips on public speaking.
If you are interested in public speaking or want to take part in our next Great Debate competition this podcast will prove...
Advice on Public Speaking
