If you’re still not convinced that Debate Academy is the place for you then why not look to the experiences of our previous participants. Below we have a range of testimonials from previous graduates of Debate Academy some of whom enjoyed the process so much that they came back to teach later in life!

Tom Shinner (former Debate Academy student and faculty member)

After coming to Debate Academy Tom went on to represent England at WSDC. At university Tom was in charge of debating at the Oxford Union and represented Oxford at a number of international competitions. Tom graduated top of his year with a first class degree in Modern History. Since leaving university he has worked for McKinsey & Company as a consultant and as a Secondary school teacher.  

"As a student at a state school aspiring to attend Oxford University to read history, I had fewer opportunities than many of my privately-educated peers to discuss and debate ideas at the highest levels, and was worried that this would weaken my candidacy for University. In the summer of Year Twelve, I attended the ESU's Debate Academy which gave me a superb grounding in high-level debate, analysis and argumentation skills. Whilst at the Academy, the coaches invited me to apply for the England debating team, and I was selected in the autumn of my final year at school. Debate Academy was an important opportunity for me to access a level of debate coaching I could never have been given at school, which - in turn - set me up to successfully compete at the World Schools' Debating Championships and subsequently debate for Oxford University."

Student Testimonials

“ I wish it was longer!” (Debating Academy 2012)

“ It’s a great place where you can learn a lot more than one would think. You can socialise with fellow debaters and learn from them as wel as make great friends. Overall, it’s really great.” (World Schools Debating Academy 2012)

“It was a very enjoyable weekend. I have realised what I need to do to improve my debating.” (World Schools Debating Academy 2012)

“It was very informative and I feel I've really improved. The staff were very nice, very good at debating, informative and were very easy to approach. It was very well organised to maximise all the time we had.” (Debate Academy 2011)

“I had a great time overall. The social events were fun and I met lots of cool people. The mentors are incredible and really help you improve and understand debating” (World Schools Debate Academy 2011)

“I come from a state school that doesn't always have the facilities to compete at an increasingly higher level and this has taught me so much to improve. I had such a brilliant time and really don't want to go home! Everything that I have been taught has been useful, engaging and very interesting!” (Debate Academy 2011)

“It was a really fun, educational experience. I liked how the mentors were young and funny and were interactive during the sessions. I'm definitely coming back next year! :)” (World Schools Debate Academy 2011)

“It was amazing. Just purely entertaining, knowledgeable, fun and awe-inspiring. My ambition is to be a debater.” (Debate Academy 2011)

“It was a really great experience I came here reluctantly with no debate experience at all, yet by the end of the course, I will be excited to come back! It taught me a lot about the importance of knowledge and how people's perceptions of things may be different to mine. Thank you!” (World Schools Debate Academy 2011)

“I have been to a lot of different camps over the years and honestly thought the social activities were by far the best organised and most enjoyable. The sweets were a big bonus.” (Debate Academy 2011)