On Friday 17 March, our Year 5 and 6 Debating Team made it through to the finals of the Cicero Cup and demonstrated exceptional debating skills, arguing about animal testing at the Linklaters Office in London. The Cicero Cup programme develops oracy, confidence and critical thinking through debate training, culminating in championships. The programme’s mission is to help pupils become persuasive speakers, critical listeners, analytical thinkers and engaged citizens.

At the championships, we are very proud to say that our team won both of their debates and were impressive in front of the judges at Linklaters. Excellent effort!

It was a very positive experience and we were proud to have won our two debates today, both prepared and impromptu debates, in the final of the Cicero Cup, 2023. It was a challenging competition with some tricky topics but, as a team we supported each other to victory. The overall experience made us feel more confident and want to participate in more debates.”

– Anna, Eliza, Esther, Minetta, Molly and Sylvia, Sydenham High Prep Debating Team