Debating and Public Speaking Skills Success at ISA Competition!

Each year the Independent Schools Association offer a team of three students in Year 11 to Upper Sixth the chance to represent their school in the annual Public Speaking and Debating Competition and this year Angelika (Upper Sixth) with Millie and Harriet (Year 11) came third! Separated from the winning team by only six points out of a possible 300 up for grabs, the team were delighted with their success at LVS Ascot on Saturday 26th February.

Head of Politics and Co-Organiser of the Debating Club, Richard Duckett, who entered the Leighton Park team for the event enthused, “It was a really hard fought first round, narrowly losing to Cardiff Sixth Form, but picking up on the feedback from the judge and chair, it was fantastic to see the girls take the next two debates. Considering Millie and Harriet have only been attending debating club for six weeks, it was a truly remarkable effort. Huge congratulations to Angie for her solo public speaking performance too, winning that part of the competition for LP.”

The competition comprised three debates across the morning with the motion for round one shared in advance but preparation for the unseen rounds two and three was squeezed into an allowance of 30 minutes between the debates. The Leighton Park team were proposing that ‘Space Travel is Unethical’ in Round 1, speaking for the motion ‘Tourism is benefits the world’ in Round 2 and for ‘The Right to Protest should be an Unrestricted Right’ in the final round.  Each of the team must speak and then either the first or second speaker must close the group’s argument in a four minute solo effort which focuses on the way the debate unfolded.  The judges use a points scoring system to assess speakers on style, content, strategy, and overall argument.

“I loved this competition!” said Angelika, “This was my first time to compete in this unfamiliar format – which made it all the more exciting! Apart from the electricity in the room during the various debates, it was amazing to be able to talk and make connections with brilliant speakers all over the country: from Cardiff to Cambridge to Loughborough. Despite all presenters having a clear competitive streak, as soon as each round was over we talked together as if we knew each other all along. This type of competition is a very unique atmosphere – with the best support, leadership and sportsmanship shown by all competitors.”

Harriet said “I enjoyed taking part in a live debate physically with other people as the only other competition I have done was online. It’s actually not much more nerve wracking to do it in person! The most challenging part was preparing for the second and third debates because there is so little time to work out your plan as a team, to research it and get your whole speech together.

Millie reflected, “It was a really fun and eye-opening experience. I enjoyed meeting students from other schools and the chance to practice my quick thinking and critical skills. It was hard being concise and keeping my speech flowing but I learned a lot about strategy and how to structure a good speech.”

The last part of the day is dedicated to public speaking with this year’s 3-5 minute long options for students either to prepare a speech inspired by the proverb ‘there is no rule without exception’, to choose a reading from a favourite book or play or to deliver a speech on a topic that they are passionate about.  Although each of the team members is expected to prepare their presentation, only one student per school is able to actually compete on the day. Leighton Park’s star public speaker was Angelika, who delivered an exceptional speech, winning this part of the competition with her controversial talk,  “God is Dead and We Have Killed Him”.

Angelika commented on her success, “The public speaking format was blind, and originally, I was highly intimidated by the speeches made – focusing on social issues and heartfelt personal stories. I improvised my start, addressing the atmosphere and juxtaposing the tone of my speech with those before me. I engaged the audience, which may have been the factor that pushed me ahead. Because I connected with other schools in between debates, whenever I got nervous, I looked at students from there and found nothing but excitement and support, which helped me calm and focus. I was grateful and humbled to receive multiple (intended) laughs for my speech and receive a commendation on my originality, humour and different approach to the task. Who knew that all you need to win is to compare the Father of Angst to Bridget Jones?!”