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The Great Debate 2026 – host a regional heat
The HA's public speaking competition open to school years 10–13
We are now looking for schools and venues across the country to host a regional heat in November, December 2025 or January 2026. If you are interested in hosting a heat, please fill out the form below.
The form will close on Sunday 15 June 2025. Successful applicants will be...
The Great Debate 2026 – host a regional heat
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The Great Debate 2026
The HA's public speaking competition open to school years 10-13
The Historical Association is delighted to announce Rayburn Tours as the official sponsor of the Great Debate 2026. Find out more
What is the Great Debate?
The Great Debate is a public speaking competition where students have 5 minutes to present their speech arguing their answer to the question.
Over the past couple of...
The Great Debate 2026
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Great Debate FAQs
The Great Debate
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Great Debate and the logistics of the heats.
If you need more information, you can get in touch with us directly at greatdebate@history.org.uk.
How does the debate work?
Each student will have five minutes to deliver their argument in response to the...
Great Debate FAQs
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Suffrage Poster Competition Winners
17th July 2019
Congratulations to four students from Newport Girls' High School – Daniah, Romaisa, Hetavi and Saira – who created the winning poster for our Suffrage competition.
The poster had a modern message while demonstrating research and inspiration from a local suffragist from the past. The judges at the HA were very...
Suffrage Poster Competition Winners
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Advice on Public Speaking
Podcast
At the Taunton/South West England heat of the Great Debate the head judge, Marcus Paul (Deputy Head of Queens College, Taunton), gave some valuable tips on public speaking.
If you are interested in public speaking or want to take part in our next Great Debate competition this podcast will prove...
Advice on Public Speaking
