Gordano Students Compete in Round Three of North Somerset Debate Competition
Year 12 students Daniel and Eliza proudly represented Gordano School in Round 3 of the North Somerset Debate Competition, hosted at Chew Valley School. The event brought together students from schools across the area for an evening of thoughtful and engaging parliamentary‑style debate.
The motion for the evening was:
“The Opposition proposes that the Government should U‑turn on its house‑building targets for the sake of the green belt.”
In this round, Opposition teams were tasked with proposing the motion, arguing that current house‑building targets place excessive pressure on green‑belt land and that environmental protection should take priority. Daniel and Eliza rose to the challenge with confidence, presenting clear, well‑structured arguments supported by evidence and demonstrating strong teamwork throughout.
The North Somerset Debate Competition is a prestigious annual event for local students and is structured around formal parliamentary‑style debates. It typically explores topical political, ethical and social issues, encouraging participants to think critically, communicate persuasively and engage with opposing viewpoints. The competition has a strong reputation for developing public speaking skills and political engagement, with winning teams given the opportunity to visit Parliament.
Throughout the debate, Daniel and Eliza responded effectively to challenges from the Government side, showing their ability to think on their feet and engage respectfully in rebuttal. Their performance reflected careful preparation, maturity and a genuine understanding of the complex issues being discussed.
The evening provided a valuable opportunity to take learning beyond the classroom, and our students represented Gordano School with professionalism and enthusiasm. We are extremely proud of Daniel and Eliza’s efforts and look forward to seeing them continue to develop their debating skills in future competitions.
