The winners of the North Somerset Debating Competition, held at Gordano School earlier this year, were rewarded with a prestigious visit to the Houses of Parliament — a memorable day that included a shout-out in the House of Commons, a personal meeting with the Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and a celebratory lunch in Westminster.

The trip marked the culmination of months of preparation and performance in one of the region’s most anticipated academic events. The final debate, held at Gordano School, brought together eight teams from across North Somerset, who went head-to-head on the thought-provoking motion: “Should the UK government introduce a wealth tax?” Both finalist teams presented compelling arguments against the motion, impressing a distinguished panel of judges drawn from local business sponsors, including Utilita and Bristol Airport.

Following their well-earned victory, the winning team was invited to London for a day of recognition and inspiration.

The students also received warm praise from Sadik Al-Hassan MP, Member of Parliament for North Somerset, whose Chief of Staff commented:

“We hope you all enjoyed it as much as Sadik and I did, and that it provided the students with inspiration for the future.”

Mr Eastwood, Head of Humanities Faculty and Politics at Gordano School, added:

“This competition gives students a voice and the confidence to tackle complex issues. Seeing them stand and deliver arguments with such poise and passion is what this opportunity is all about.”

The North Somerset Debating Competition continues to grow in both scale and ambition, helping to empower the next generation of speakers, leaders, and critical thinkers. Congratulations to all who took part — and especially to the champions who brought home the win and had a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Parliament.