By Mia Vadagama (Year 10) Senior Debate Team Reserve

Our Senior Debate team, Nawaal Qazi and Grace Briers, both Year 10, took part in a thrilling semi-final of the Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition on Wednesday at the Bedfordshire Police Headquarters in Kempston.

The three-way motion Cannabis should be legalised saw Bedford Modern School arguing in favour of the motion; Bedford School arguing against the motion, but in favour of decriminalisation; and Bedford Girls’ School arguing in favour of reclassification as a Class A Drug.

Each team consisted of two pupils from the same school, aged between 15 – 18-year olds. Marks were awarded for debating skills and style as well as the substance of the argument.

Main speaker, Nawaal Qazi shared her thoughts on the experience: “I have really enjoyed the whole process, particularly the way in which I have developed my quick-thinking skills. Being flexible to respond to the other side's arguments requires really good preparation and research skills, as well as an ability to think outside the box and be prepared to identify gaps in the opponent's counter-arguments. I am sorry we didn’t win, but we were the youngest team taking part and I think we did really well to get through to the semi-finals, especially as this was our first experience of a debating competition.”

Seconder, Grace Briers reiterated Nawaal’s comments, adding that debating had helped her to develop her critical thinking skills and the ability to make well thought out and reasoned arguments, quickly.

“This motion for this event was particularly tricky,” admitted Grace, “but I look forward to more opportunities like these to develop my skills further.”

Despite good research and presentation skills, the BGS team, unfortunately, did not manage to secure a place in the final, which will take place at Westminster Palace in early December. The students involved, however, were very grateful for the opportunity to take part in this debating competition.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Festus Akinbusoye, is keen to promote the skills of public speaking and debate in Bedfordshire students by encouraging their participation in Parliamentary style debating, so this event will be repeated next year. To build on this wonderful opportunity, Mrs Barrett will be expanding the debating opportunities in the school from January to encourage more students to get involved in weekly debate competitions.

“We can’t wait!” enthused the Senior Debate Team, who are keen to help others understand the rules and conventions of the debating competition and help others benefit from everything that involvement in debating can offer.