Xaverian College students have achieved a remarkable victory at the European Youth Parliament United Kingdom (EYPUK) debate competition, showcasing their exceptional analytical and public speaking skills. The team, comprising Year 12 students, competed against some of the nation’s most articulate young debaters in a series of rigorous debates on topical European issues.
The EYPUK competition is renowned for fostering critical thinking and encouraging young individuals to engage with contemporary political, social, and economic topics. Participants are tasked with formulating and defending resolutions that mirror the procedures of the European Parliament, promoting a deep understanding of European affairs.
Team Xaverian demonstrated outstanding teamwork and eloquence throughout the competition. Their success not only highlights their dedication but also reflects the supportive academic environment provided by Xaverian College, which emphasises the importance of extracurricular activities in developing well-rounded individuals.
Caleb Bassford, a former Trinity Church of England High School pupil, joined Xaverian in September 2024 to study A Levels in Economics, Geography and Politics. Commenting on Team Xaverian’s win he said: “We got to debate various topics on the day surrounding current global issues, and various solutions proposed by the EU Parliament. My personal favourite was the tourism tax solution proposed to tackle the issues arising from tourism, such as local and tourists’ conflict. We prepared by planning out speeches and analysing the potential arguments for and against. The experience helped us all improve our articulation and adaptation skills, as well as being able to think on our feet.
“I chose to study at Xaverian because of the diversity and ample opportunities to work as well as socialise. I chose Politics because it provides you with so much real-world knowledge and gives you the tools needed to form and justify an opinion, as well as teaching the context behind actual events taking place across the globe. I would encourage any young person to really get involved with their subjects at a deeper level. Take your learning outside the classroom and it will pay off!”
Joud Hamad, a former The Kingsway School pupil, currently studying A Levels in English Literature, Law and Politics at Xaverian, added: “We were one of three schools competing, and my sub-team focused on the rise of juvenile delinquency and tackling youth violence, however my favourite from the day was about the EU’s responsibility to help the African Union’s economy, because it sparked interesting debates about neo-colonialism. My highlight was getting to close the final debate with a summary speech, and I felt really confident doing it. I think the most valuable thing I learnt was how to communicate with detail so that the debate was about something specific and nuanced rather than a general conversation about many different points that could easily get lost or misinterpreted.
“I knew I wanted to study at Xaverian after visiting their Open Day. I liked the university-style Campus, the subjects available and the teachers I spoke to were amazing. I chose to study Politics because it’s something which is omnipresent in society and shapes our day-to-day lives, I also like how it has elements of philosophy, law, history, economics, etc. as it makes lessons very thought-provoking, alongside helping us understand how all aspects of society, and perhaps humanity as an extension, are connected in intricate ways. My advice to any young person thinking about their next steps would be to come into each new stage of life with an open mind and willingness to explore ideas and experiences.”
Students are now busy preparing for the National Finals, a three-day residential hosted in Liverpool, which will take place in the summer months. During this event, students may be selected to represent the UK in a Europe-wide event.
The following weekend, Politics students visited London to participate in the Polecon UK Conference in Methodist Central Hall Westminster, where they got to hear talks from and ask questions to big names in politics such as Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Richard Tice MP, Emily Thornberry MP, Daisy Cooper MP and more. The highlight of the conference was hearing from Alastair Campbell, with many students getting to meet him during his book signing at the end of the day.
During the trip, students also got to tour the Houses of Parliament, where they visited the House of Lords, the Speakers Procession and found out more about the history of Parliament, which was followed by a Q&A session with Lord Philip Norton, the UK’s greatest living expert on Parliament and Afzal Khan and Jeff Smith, who are both Greater ĂŰĚŇÖ±˛Ą MPs.
Students commented on how “interesting and informative” the visit was, with many excited about getting to see where the government functions.
Every year, students at Xaverian are encouraged to extend their learning beyond the classroom to gain valuable real-world experience and competitions such as these have proved to be popular amongst those wanting to progress to university.
As one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the region, Xaverian College offers an extensive range of A Levels in addition to several BTEC courses.