Leeds school pupils debate the big issues for Comic Relief

Almost 100 pupils from nine schools across the city took part in the Urban Debate League event on Thursday, hosted by Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School.

The debate competition was organised by Comic Relief and Debate Mate and aimed to get more children discussing big issues in the UK.

Topics which pupils debated included the impact of celebrity image on self-esteem, the addictive nature of social media and the role of technology in innovation.

Dominique Evans-Woollett, English teacher at Mount St Mary’s who helped organise the event, said: “The Debate Mate event sponsored by Comic Relief has been a fantastic opportunity for students across Leeds.

It has been a great challenge for our young people to test their knowledge and speaking skills, but has also provided a chance for us to steer them through difficult subjects.”

Schools which took part included Allerton High School, the David Young Community Academy, The Cooperative Academy of Leeds and Cockburn School.

There were also pupils from The Ruth Gorse Academy, Priesthorpe School, Roundhay School and The South Leeds Academy.

The Debate Mate competition, running for the second year, involves more than 250 schools across the country for pupils in years seven up to year 10.