While debating and public speaking play a key role in many of the humanities subjects taught at St Helen’s, they are also popular activities among girls across the school. There are a range of opportunities here, from informal school debates to the chance to compete at a national level.

Debating Society is a school-based club, run by a cohort of Sixth Form girls and one member of staff.  It is open to anyone from Year 7 up. Debates are often heated, whether the motion is about relations between Israelis and Palestinians or is a light-hearted argument over whether or not Father Christmas should be abolished. Girls prepare their debate speeches a few days in advance; girls who are not debating make up the floor, which is also given plenty of time to voice its views. There are also more formal debating events throughout the year. At the Radley Debating Dinner a team of Upper School Two girls go up against a team from Radley College.  The motion is always related to the Radley conference, giving both sixth form groups the chance to think broadly about the issues raised at the conference. 

St Helen’s has sent teams through several rounds of the English Speaking Union Debating competition. The Union runs a public speaking competition for years 7-11, in which the St Helen’s Team has recently reached the final. We have had great success at the Rotary Speaks competition, where two of our recent teams got to the national final and one team won.  Teams are made up of volunteers and girls chosen by the teacher in charge. Debating and public speaking are exciting, challenging activities, which give the girls a chance to develop and voice their views. The independence of mind this brings is invaluable – and it’s also really fun.