Pupils from schools across Scotland are preparing to debate the motion that ‘monuments to controversial figures should be removed’ when they take to the floor in the opening rounds of the Donald Dewar Memorial Debating tournament.
Now in its 19th year the Law Society of Scotland’s annual debating tournament is the largest schools debating tournament in Scotland. 128 teams from 98 Scottish schools will take part in the opening rounds of the 2017/18 competition and 21 schools will compete for the first time.
Heather McKendrick, head of careers and outreach at the Law Society, said: “Young people in Scotland characteristically show impressive levels of political awareness and democratic engagement.
"The right to free speech is a key component of our political culture and we relish the opportunity to learn from historical difficulties… ‘Lest we forget’ being a topical example.
“So we’ve set our teams a real challenge by asking them to debate whether ‘monuments to controversial figures should be removed’. I am intrigued to hear the views for and against.
“Debating is a hugely rewarding experience helping young people to gain confidence and develop their analytical thinking. Not to mention the fact that it’s great fun.
“It’s fantastic to see so many schools taking part, 21 of whom are first time competitors in the tournament.We’re also delighted to have a brand new sponsor, TC Young on board and welcome back Hodder Gibson, who have been long term supporters and sponsors of the debate.
“Last year’s tournament came to an exciting conclusion in the Scottish Parliament’s debating chamber where we enjoyed outstanding performances from some very talented young people – Last year they debated whether smokers should be denied the right to free healthcare and I’m looking forward to this year’s final already.
“On another note, we are always on the lookout for people with experience or an interest in debating to act as judges. I can guarantee a really interesting and enjoyable experience.”
The opening rounds take place on 16, 23 and 28 November with further heats early next year and semi-finals in the spring. The winning team will win £1,000 for their school from the Law Society of Scotland.
98 schools from across Scotland will take part in this year’s debating tournament. Schools in bold are hosting a debate*. Those entering the competition for the first time are marked *
|
Name of School |
Location |
|
Aberdeen Grammar School* |
Aberdeen |
|
Albyn School |
Aberdeen |
|
Alva Academy* |
Alva |
|
Arbroath Academy* |
Arbroath |
|
Banchory Academy |
Banchory |
|
Banff Academy |
Banff |
|
Barrhead High School* |
Barrhead |
|
Beaconhurst School |
Bridge of Allan |
|
Bearsden Academy |
Bearsden |
|
Biggar High School |
Biggar |
|
Bo'Ness Academy |
Bo’Ness |
|
Braes High School |
Falkirk |
|
Broxburn Academy |
Broxburn |
|
Bucksburn Academy |
Aberdeen |
|
Clifton Hall School |
Edinburgh |
|
Community School of Auchterarder |
Glasgow |
|
Craigholme School |
Glasgow |
|
Craigmount High School |
Edinburgh |
|
Denny High School* |
Denny |
|
Dollar Academy |
Dollar |
|
Douglas Academy |
Milngavie |
|
Dumbarton Academy |
Dumbarton |
|
Dumfries Academy |
Dumfries |
|
Duncanrig Secondary School |
East Kilbride |
|
Dunfermline High School |
Dunfermline |
|
Elgin Academy* |
Elgin |
|
Falkirk High School |
Falkirk |
|
Fernhill School |
Glasgow |
|
Forres Academy* |
Forres |
|
Fortrose Academy |
Fortrose |
|
George Heriots School |
Edinburgh |
|
George Watson's College |
Edinburgh |
|
Glasgow Gaelic School |
Glasgow |
|
Glenalmond College |
Perth |
|
Gordonstoun School |
Elgin |
|
Grange Academy |
Kilmarnock |
|
Grangemouth High School* |
Falkirk |
|
Grove Academy |
Dundee |
|
Gryffe High School |
Renfrewshire |
|
Hamilton Grammar School |
Hamilton |
|
Hawick High School |
Hawick |
|
Hermitage Academy* |
Helensburgh |
|
High School of Dundee |
Dundee |
|
High School of Glasgow |
Glasgow |
|
Holy Cross High School |
Hamilton |
|
Holyrood Secondary School |
Glasgow |
|
Hutcheson's Grammar School* |
Glasgow |
|
Inverclyde Academy |
Inverurie |
|
James Gillespies High School |
Edinburgh |
|
Jordanhill School |
Glasgow |
|
Kelvinside Academy |
Glasgow |
|
Kings Park Secondary School |
Glasgow |
|
Kinross High School |
Kinross |
|
Kyle Academy* |
Ayr |
|
Lanark Grammar School |
Lanark |
|
Langholm Academy* |
South Lanarkshire |
|
Lenzie Academy |
Kirkintilloch |
|
Levenmouth Academy |
Leven |
|
Liberton High School* |
Edinburgh |
|
Loretto School |
Musselburgh |
|
Marr College |
Troon |
|
Meldrum Academy* |
Inverurie |
|
Merchiston Castle School |
Edinburgh |
|
Morgan Academy |
Dundee |
|
Morrisons Academy |
Crieff |
|
Our Lady and St Patrick's High School |
Dumbarton |
|
Peebles High School* |
Peebles |
|
Perth Academy |
Perth |
|
Perth High School |
Perth |
|
Queensferry High School |
Edinburgh |
|
Robert Gordon's College |
Aberdeen |
|
Rosshall Academy |
Glasgow |
|
St Andrew's & St Brides High School |
Glasgow |
|
St Augustine's RC High School* |
Edinburgh |
|
St Benedicts High School* |
Johnstone |
|
St George's School for Girls |
Edinburgh |
|
St John Ogilvie High School |
Hamilton |
|
St Joseph's Academy* |
Kilmarnock |
|
St Joseph's College |
Dumfries |
|
St Margaret's School for Girls |
Aberdeen |
|
St Mary's Music School |
Edinburgh |
|
St Maurice's High School |
Cumbernauld |
|
St Ninian's High School |
Giffnock |
|
St Peter the Apostle High School |
Glasgow |
|
Stirling High School* |
Stirling |
|
Strathallan School |
Perth |
|
The Edinburgh Academy |
Edinburgh |
|
The Glasgow Academy |
Glasgow |
|
The James Young High School |
Livingston |
|
The Mary Erskine School |
Edinburgh |
|
The Royal High School |
Edinburgh |
|
Thurso High School |
Thurso |
|
Tyncastle High School* |
Edinburgh |
|
Wellington School |
Ayr |
|
West Calder High School |
West Calder |
|
Whitehill Secondary School |
Glasgow |
|
Williamswood High School* |
East Renfrewshire |
|
Woodfarm High School |
Glasgow |
Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament
This year, our annual schools debating tournament will see 64 teams from across Scotland enter the first round, with just one team crowned the winner at the grand final.
