We catch up with Ben Willis, Head of English at Fallibroome Academy in Macclesfield, Cheshire, to find out why he’ll always enter his students for the Schools’ Mace
‘I’d like to give a shout out to Mr. Willis, who founded Debate Club at our school,’ says Oliver, a student at Fallibroome Academy in Macclesfield, Cheshire, and a semi-finalist in the Schools’ Mace 2025. ‘It didn’t exist before – and he’s the genius behind it.’
Though Ben Willis, Head of English, is far too modest to accept any ‘genius’ accolades, he is indeed the driving force behind the club, which he set up as soon as he joined the school in 2021. ‘One of the first things I wanted to do was to create an opportunity to get these amazing young people together to discuss and share ideas,’ he says. ‘Oracy, being able to express yourself, is such a valuable life skill. As the world becomes more and more polarised, I think it’s so important to be able to hold a rational dialogue with someone who has opposing views. For students to be able to argue and understand both sides of a debate, regardless of their own personal opinions, is such a valuable skill.’
Running once a week at lunchtime, the club is open to Year 10s and above. About 70 students have attended at least once, with a regular core of 15-20 who come every week. Some are natural orators but, interestingly, many are not. ‘It appeals to both ends of the spectrum,’ says Ben. ‘I have some students who very much come along to listen. They don’t really want, at least at first, to engage and participate verbally. There can still be a stigma around oracy and articulating your opinions so trying to challenge that fear is part of our ongoing objectives.’
Another key objective is about building momentum and engagement throughout the school, something that is starting to happen. ‘I would love to be able to open the club to all year groups and all students, but it’s just not practically feasible,’ says Ben. Nevertheless, awareness and support are growing. In the first year Fallibroome entered the Mace, the team won the first round in their region and the head announced it in a whole school assembly. ‘He was so proud,’ says Ben. ‘And we’ve had a similar level of promotion and exposure ever since.’
In their second year, the team made it through to the regionals, and then this year all the way through to the semi-finals. ‘What’s been so amazing for these students is for them to realise that, even though we’re a state comprehensive school, they are as good as, and even better than, students at fee-paying schools,’ says Ben. ‘That has had immeasurable benefits for their confidence and their self-belief.’ It has also inspired the wider student body and the school’s leadership team. ‘There’s this feeling that we have the potential to compete on a national scale now,’ says Ben. ‘I think that’s going to motivate us for many, many years to come.’
Asked what he enjoys about the Schools’ Mace competition in particular, Ben is quick to respond. ‘I love the structure of it,’ he says. ‘I like that the students always get the motions in advance; that they are interesting; and that they are told which side to argue – even if they might prefer to argue the other side. I also like the fact that we have the opportunity for questions from the floor. I think that’s a really nice feature to engage the audience and give them a voice as well.’
The fact that the Mace is so established (it’s the oldest and largest debating competition for schools in England and Wales) gives it a certain cachet, too. ‘It’s obviously very prestigious, and the heats have taken us to some very impressive venues, from other schools to council chambers and to Dartmouth House in London today,’ says Ben. ‘We’re from a relatively small town in Cheshire and it can sometimes feel slightly isolated from the rest of the country. Competitions like this open students’ eyes to the wider world. Doing the Mace has led to debates about university, jobs and careers – it gives students something to strive towards.’
That’s what the students get out of it, but Ben is keen to point out that he, too, benefits. ‘For every parent or politician or CEO who fears for the future and says young people don’t engage any more, I wish that they could come and watch one of these competitions. I am genuinely bowled over by how brilliant these young people are – they’re inspirational.’
