Schools prepare for annual Epping Forest schools parliamentary debating competition

Seven of the district’s schools will be competing in the annual Epping Forest schools parliamentary debating competition organised by Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing.

This year’s competition – featuring teams from Chigwell School, Debden Park High School, Roding Valley High School, Braeside School, Davenant Foundation School, St John’s School, Epping, and West Hatch High School - is being held at Roding Valley High School, Alderton Hill, Loughton, on Friday, November 11, after the school won last year’s debate.

The competition sees the teams speaking either for or against a motion, with the debate following the same format as if it were taking place in the House of Commons, with Mrs Laing acting as the Speaker.

This year the teams will be speaking on the motion: “That this House believes that the UK’s investment in the 2012 Olympics is money well spent”.

Mrs Laing said: “I am looking forward to another great evening of parliamentary-style debating.

“Judging by the excellent standard of debating and public speaking that we have heard in previous years I am sure the students will have some strong views to air, whether their school has been chosen to speak for or against the motion.”