Oldham students shine in international debate showpiece
Students from Oldham participated in an international debate competition, collaborating with teams from the UK and USA. The event, organized by Ideas Matter and the Bill of Rights Institute, featured debates on contemporary topics like AI, online misinformation, and cancel culture. The Oldham team, comprising students from Crompton House and Hulme Grammar, reached the semi-finals, with Pashtana receiving special recognition. The event was held virtually across time zones, with Oldham Council providing the venue.
Oldham, UK — A six-hour transatlantic debate marathon that began at 2 p.m. BST saw an all-girl squad from Crompton House and Hulme Grammar reach the international final before narrowly losing to Florida’s Panthers.
The contest, staged simultaneously in the Lees Suite at Oldham Civic Centre and in U.S. venues, paired Ideas Matter (UK) with the U.S.-based Bill of Rights Institute for the first time.
Teams clashed over four motions:
- Humanity should fear advances in AI
- Tech companies should act to stop online misinformation
- Smartphones should be banned in the classroom
- Cancel culture is a threat to freedom of speech
Each round opened with three-minute statements, followed by grillings from a panel drawn from academia, journalism and law, audience questions, and one-minute closings.
Oldham beat Oakwood Park Grammar (Kent) in the quarter-final, but judges issued a split decision to send Oakwood through with Oldham to the semis. Oldham advanced again, setting up a final against the Panthers, who ultimately claimed the trophy.
Pashtana, Year 12, Crompton House, earned individual praise for “insightful contributions” both as a speaker and as a floor interrogator in other rounds.
Dr Chris Millington, Assistant Principal (Outreach) at Hulme Grammar, said:
“This competition is a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage in critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. The Oldham Schools’ team demonstrated incredible skill and resilience, and we are immensely proud of their achievements on an international stage.”
The squad thanked Oldham Council for the Civic Centre venue and Ideas Matter coordinator Mo Lovatt for “making this unique experience possible.” They will next compete in the North West final in Blackburn later this year.
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