ESU Schools' Mace Debating Competition: A Parent Guide

ESU Schools' Mace Debating Competition: A Parent Guide

Editorial overview

The ESU Schools’ Mace is part of the English-Speaking Union’s wider mission to help young people use language for understanding and constructive dialogue. Founded in 1918 by Sir Evelyn Wrench, the ESU has developed from an international fellowship organisation into an educational charity with a major programme of school debating, public speaking and cultural exchange. The Schools’ Mace is therefore more than a tournament: it is one of the organisation’s long-running ways of making serious discussion a practical school experience.

The competition is described by the ESU as the oldest and largest debating competition for schools in England and Wales, serving students from Years 7–13. Its importance comes partly from the scale of the route and partly from the type of experience it creates. Teams must respond to motions, divide preparation, listen to opponents and adapt their case in real time. A student cannot rely on a polished speech written days earlier; the central skill is making a structured argument when the other side has already challenged the first version of it.

That makes the Schools’ Mace especially relevant to students interested in law, politics, philosophy, economics, history or public leadership. Preparation should include current-affairs reading, short motion drills, role rotation and deliberate practice in conceding a limited point without losing the main argument. The best teams are not necessarily the loudest. They are the ones that can make a complex issue understandable, respond directly and support one another under pressure.

We rate the ESU Schools’ Mace at Advanced Level. School entry makes the competition accessible, but the advanced argument, teamwork and substantial preparation demands are real. Its value is strongest when students reflect on how their reasoning changed through debate, not when they treat a single result as a complete measure of their communication ability.

How does Schools' Mace fit into a broader pathway?

Schools' Mace can lead naturally into:

• public speaking competitions
• Model United Nations
• essay competitions in politics, economics, philosophy or law
• youth parliament or leadership programmes
• university debating societies later on

For a portfolio, sustained involvement matters more than one isolated entry. A student who debates for several years, helps younger students, chairs debates or reflects on topics they researched can show real growth.

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What is Schools' Mace?

Schools' Mace is a school debating competition for secondary students. The current CompeteMap record lists it for ages 11-18 / Years 7-13, with entry through schools.

Students compete in teams. They are given a motion, prepare arguments for or against it, and deliver speeches in a structured format. They must also respond to the other side's arguments, which is where the real intellectual challenge appears.

Debating is different from giving a prepared speech. A public speech can be polished in advance; a debate requires students to listen, adapt and defend a position in real time.

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Why is it valuable?

Schools' Mace develops skills that are useful far beyond debating:

For students considering law, politics, philosophy, economics, history, PPE, international relations, journalism or leadership pathways, debating can be a particularly useful activity. It shows not only interest, but also communication skill and intellectual agility.

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Who should consider entering?

Schools' Mace is suitable for a wide range of students, not only naturally outspoken ones.

It is a good fit for students who:

• enjoy arguing a point or asking "but why?"
• like current affairs, politics, ethics or social issues
• want to improve public speaking
• are interested in law, humanities, social sciences or leadership
• can work well in a team
• are willing to practise regularly

It can also be excellent for students who are academically strong but need to become more confident speaking aloud. Debate gives them a reason to speak: not to perform, but to explain and defend an idea.

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How does registration work?

The competition is usually school-based. Parents should start by asking whether the school has:

• a debating club
• an English, politics, history or philosophy teacher who supports debating
• an enrichment coordinator
• experience entering ESU competitions

If the school is not yet involved, parents can share the official ESU page with the relevant teacher. Because entry often depends on school organisation, the earlier this conversation happens, the better.

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How difficult is Schools' Mace?

The difficulty depends on the student's experience and the stage of the competition.

At beginner level, the main challenge is learning the format:

• how to define a motion
• how to build a case
• how to divide arguments between speakers
• how to respond to the other side
• how to use examples and evidence
• how to speak clearly under time pressure

At higher levels, the challenge becomes more strategic. Students need to understand what the debate is really about, choose the strongest clashes, and avoid spending time on minor points.

The competition can be demanding, but it is learnable. Students improve quickly when they practise with feedback.

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What should students practise?

1. Argument structure

A simple structure helps beginners:

1. Make the claim.
2. Explain why it is true.
3. Give an example or evidence.
4. Explain why it matters for the motion.

Many students skip the final step. They give an example but do not explain its impact. Strong debaters constantly connect points back to the motion.

2. Rebuttal

Rebuttal is where debate becomes a real conversation. Students should practise identifying:

• what the opponent's argument depends on
• whether the example proves the claim
• whether there is a bigger harm or benefit
• whether the argument applies to most people or only a small group
• whether the opponent has ignored a practical problem

Short rebuttal drills are useful. Give a student one argument and ask them to produce two responses in one minute.

3. Current affairs

Students do not need to become news experts, but they should build general awareness. Useful topics include:

• education
• technology and AI
• climate and environment
• democracy and voting
• free speech
• healthcare
• crime and justice
• social media
• international relations

Reading one reliable news explainer per week can make a noticeable difference.

4. Delivery

Delivery should be clear rather than theatrical. Judges need to follow the argument.

Students should work on:

• pace
• signposting
• eye contact
• calm tone
• avoiding filler words
• making transitions clear

The best delivery makes complex ideas easier to understand.

5. Teamwork

Debate is a team activity. Students need to decide who handles which part of the case, support each other with notes, and avoid repeating the same point.

After each practice debate, teams should ask:

• Did our speeches fit together?
• Did we answer the strongest opposition points?
• Did we leave any major argument undefended?
• Did we spend time on the right issues?

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Useful preparation resources

Students can use:

• ESU competition guidance and resources
• school debating club materials
• Debate Mate and other youth debate resources
• BBC, The Economist student-friendly articles, Financial Times explainers, or reliable news summaries
• recordings of school or university debates
• practice motions from debate organisations

Books on critical thinking, argumentation and rhetoric can help, but regular practice is more important than reading alone.

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Common mistakes

Beginners often:

• write speeches that sound like essays
• ignore the other side
• use examples without explaining impact
• try to make too many points
• speak too quickly
• rely on confidence instead of logic
• repeat teammates' arguments

The best early improvement usually comes from making fewer, clearer arguments and answering the other side directly.

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Key Takeaways

ESU Schools' Mace Debating Competition: A Parent Guide is best understood as an advanced-level opportunity with advanced skill demand, a competition-specific entry route and substantial preparation. The ESU Schools' Mace is one of the best-known school debating competitions in the UK and is suitable for students who want structured argument, teamwork and public speaking experience. Entry is normally through schools, so parents should speak with the debating club, English department or enrichment coordinator early in the school year. The competition rewards more than confidence: students need clear argument structure, listening skills, rebuttal, evidence use and teamwork. Beginners should prepare by learning basic debate roles, practising short speeches, following current affairs and doing regular rebuttal drills. For students interested in law, politics, philosophy, humanities, economics or leadership roles, Schools' Mace can become a strong portfolio activity when paired with reflection what they learned and how their debating changed.

Final thoughts

Schools' Mace is valuable because it teaches students to think with other people in the room. They cannot simply present a polished answer; they must listen, respond and adapt. For many students, that is exactly the skill they need next.