The Historical Association is delighted to announce Rayburn Tours as the official sponsor of the Great Debate 2026.

With over 60 years of experience in educational and group travel, Rayburn Tours is a family-run organisation dedicated to creating inspirational and enriching experiences for young people.

Rayburn Tours' commitment to education is what makes them a suitable partner to the HA. It is exciting that they will be supporting the HA's public speaking competition which continues to grow in reach and impact across the UK. We are looking forward to working together to support the next generation of young historians as they develop the confidence and skills to share their ideas and perspectives.

Rayburn Tours say: “We are proud to partner with the Historical Association as a sponsor of the 2026 Great Debate. This exciting collaboration reflects Rayburn Tours’ ongoing commitment to inspire the next generation of young historians through enriching history school trips. The Great Debate provides students the opportunity to delve into historical topics, develop their critical thinking skills, and engage in meaningful discussions – an experience that complements Rayburn Tours’ vision to bring history to life beyond the classroom.”

The Great Debate 2026

The question for the Great Debate 2026 is: 

How important are personal and public records as evidence for explaining the story, or stories, of your local area?

 
We look forward to an exciting year ahead and extend our thanks to Rayburn Tours for their support of the Great Debate 2026.