The ESU Centre organises the national debating competition (the 'Schools Mace') for secondary schools in England and Scotland. Winners of separate national competitions in Wales and Ireland are invited to compete with the English and Scottish winners in the International Final of the Schools Mace.

We also organise the National Public Speaking Competition for England, Wales and Scotland, the Debate Academy, the England Schools Debating Team, the Great Shakespeare Debate and a variety of other programmes for secondary school students in the UK.

The ESU also organises the popular International Public Speaking Competition featuring winners of national competitions around the world.

Organisers of other schools competitions may advertise their details on this site.

We offer support for teachers to learn more about debate inside and outside the classroom through CPD courses and sales of resources and materials.

Featured downloads:

Schools Mace & Public Speaking Competition 2006-2007 Handbook (PDF) Download Handbook for Mace only (2.1Mb) Download Handbook for Public Speaking only (1.29Mb) Download Handbook for both competitions (2.7Mb)

ESU Scotland National Juniors Debating Competition Debating Guide (Word)

International Public Speaking Competition 2006 Handbook (PDF, 13.6Mb)