Scottish Schools Debating Competitions

School debating in Scotland is organised primarily through a network of national competitions run by ESU Scotland and the Law Society of Scotland. The two flagship events are the **ESU Scotland Schools Mace** (a team-format competition using British Parliamentary or Mace rules) and the **Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament**, a long‑running national competition focused on public policy and citizenship. Rounds are hosted in schools and public venues across Scotland, typically from autumn through spring. These competitions are open to **secondary school pupils in Scotland**, usually in S3–S6 (roughly ages 14–18), with teams entering through their schools. Students develop critical thinking, public speaking, research skills, and confidence while debating current affairs, ethics, and legal and social issues. Participation is free, and many schools offer debate clubs or training sessions to prepare for the tournaments. Successful teams progress through regional heats to national finals, with recognition for both schools and individual speakers.