On Friday 9th February 2024, Selaine Saxby attended and judged the final of the Free Thinker Organisation debate day at Petroc College, ran by the Speak Easy Society from the University of Exeter.
The competition spanned over six days with multiple schools taking part including: Holsworthy Community College, Great Torrington School, Bideford College, Ilfracombe Academy, The Park Community School and South Molton Community College.
On the day of the final, the teams competed in a political exercise acting as mock political parties, engaged in roundtable debates as seen at Speak Easy Society and took part in three rounds of debates. They also learnt how to engage in media including interviews and filming.
Selaine spoke to the students, who had made it to the final highlighting the importance of ensuring young voices are heard in politics. She congratulated everyone who took part and of course the brilliant Fortescue team from The Park Community School for winning the event in such a strong and talented final.
The competition gave the students the opportunity to approach topics freely. The schools were split into five member teams, which allowed the flow of ideas between many students. The topics proposed into the debate allowed students to pick any political position that they wanted. The University of Exeter students helped mentor the teams to boost ideas and thoughts within the competition.
Selaine Saxby MP for North Devon, said:
“It was great to join students from around North Devon to this brilliant debating event at Petroc College. The students were both talented and engaging, and I really enjoyed helping judge this competition to promote expression of views and thoughts, which is so important for young people. Congratulations to all the brilliant teams that took part in the competition and congratulations to the Fortescue team from The Park Community School.
“Thank you to Petroc College for hosting such a positive and invigorating event and to Speak Easy Society from the University of Exeter and their President, for organising this competition. I hope to see it continued next year!”
Jack Barwell, Director of North Devon’s Next Free Thinker and President of Exeter University Speak Easy Society said:
“I am delighted that North Devon’s Next Free Thinker and Speak Easy Society could fill the gap and help students develop confidence and public speaking skills for their careers in their future. North Devon has vibrant talent, and it is our job as university students to bring out the best in these students, and I am glad that our competition is allowing them to have a bright future in public speaking.”
