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 years the competition has been growing in size. To encourage as many young people to get involved as possible, and ensure as many local stories as possible are included, we have increased the number of heats and added a semi-final round. 

The competition for this year is: How important are personal and public records as evidence for explaining the story, or stories, of your local area?

Thank you to our hosts

Without the help and support of all the regional heat hosts we wouldn’t be able to run this competition. This year we had 36 heats take place across the UK.

Read more

Good luck to this year's finalists

• Afeefah, Batley Girls' High School, Batley
• Alex, Victoria College, Jersey
• Artimisia, Stoke Newington School, London
• Bilal, William Farr School, Lincoln
• Dhaani, Withington Girls School, Manchester
• Duni, Cheltenham Ladies College, Gloucester
• Ed, Saffron Walden County High School, Letchworth
• Effie, Cherwell School, Oxford
• Eliana, Holme Grange School, Henley
• Evelynn, The Liverpool Bluecoat School, Liverpool
• Isla, Torquay Girls Grammar School, Torquay
• Lotte, Wilmington Grammar School for Girls sixth form, Kent
• Matey, St Michael’s Catholic College, London
• Öykü, TEV İnanç Private High School, Virtual
• Rayna, Sheffield
• Roddy, James Gillespie’s High School, Edinburgh
• Saanvi, Tiffin Girls, London
• Sathya, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, Virtual
• Sophie, Truro and Penwith College, Callywith
• Theo, Churston Grammar, Torquey
• Zaina, Kendrick School, Reading
• Zainab, Bolton School, Bolton
• Watch the 2025 winner for inspiration

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If you have any questions take a look at our FAQs or email greatdebate@history.org.uk