Oxford Union date for BVC speakers

Year 11 students Iain Lynn and Adam Castle finished off their BVC debating careers in style – with an invitation to speak at the world famous Oxford Union.

The boys were invited to compete in the Oxford Arts Festival Schools Debating Competition following their success in the Pixl Up For the Debate competition in 2016 when they were runners up at the national final at Eton College.

The Oxford debate took the form of a day-long competition, with the boys competing in four different debates: This House Believes that cultural artifacts should be returned to country of origin;  religious primary and secondary schools should be banned; euthanasia should be legalised; and the voting age should be lowered to 16. Competitors were only given the motions 15 minutes before each debate started and each round featured four teams.

Iain said:”Going to the Oxford Union was a dream come true! We got a real buzz out of competing together again and the competition was really tough.”

Adam and Iain showed great skill and narrowly missed a place in the final. The top four teams won through to the final – the boys came fifth overall winning two firsts and one second place. 30 teams took part.

Both boys only started debating in year 9 at BVC and since then have gone from strength to strength. Both hope to continue their studies – and debating – at Hills Road Sixth Form College in September.