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The Great Debate 2026
The HA's public speaking competition open to school years 10-13
The Historical Association is delighted to announce Rayburn Tours as the official sponsor of the Great Debate 2026. Find out more
What is the Great Debate?
The Great Debate is a public speaking competition where students have 5 minutes to present their speech arguing their answer to the question.
Over the past couple of...
The Great Debate 2026
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New partnership for the Great Debate 2026
15th May 2025
The Historical Association is delighted to announce Rayburn Tours as the official sponsor of the Great Debate 2026.
With over 60 years of experience in educational and group travel, Rayburn Tours is a family-run organisation dedicated to creating inspirational and enriching experiences for young people.
Rayburn Tours' commitment to education...
New partnership for the Great Debate 2026
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The Great Debate 2026 – host a regional heat
The HA's public speaking competition open to school years 10–13
We are now looking for schools and venues across the country to host a regional heat in November, December 2025 or January 2026. If you are interested in hosting a heat, please fill out the form below.
The form will close on Sunday 15 June 2025. Successful applicants will be...
The Great Debate 2026 – host a regional heat
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Great Debate Final 2025
14th April 2025
Winner:
Quinn Scott – Chesterton Community College, Cambridge
Runners up:
Anya Bensouiah – Kendrick School, Reading
Fred Bosley – The King’s School, Canterbury
Aimee Nelson – Bablake School, Coventry
Finalists:
Emily Tweddle, Earlston High School, Scottish Borders
Hannah Brearton, Upton Hall, Oxford
Rosie Thomson, The Maynard School, Exeter
Isabella Passarelli, Torquay Girls Grammar School,...
Great Debate Final 2025
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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
