Debate Hub

Epizody

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  The state of oracy part 1- education & politics 18.05.2026 39min

  In this episode Kate & Michael talk about oracy education as it stands in the UK in 2026, as well as discussing how it affects our political understanding. In the second part we move on to talk about the confluence of social media, politics and oracy, and how good oracy education supports great journalism.
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  SEND & Oracy 27.02.2026 25min

  To celebrate the release of the oracy white paper, Kate & Michael discuss how Debate Hub's way of doing oracy endeavors to be inclusive for SEND students.
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  We ran a mooting competition! 05.02.2026 49min

  In this episode Kate & Michael discuss two recent Debate Hub events: a large Oxford Union style show debate and our inaugural mooting competition. We discuss what worked, what we would change and how partner schools can replicate these events if they are interested in doing so. You can find details of our upcoming competitions at https://debatehub.co.uk/all-events/
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  AI in Debating, Oracy and Education. 16.01.2026 1h 10min

  To celebrate our upcoming AI in Education show debate (link below) Kate and Michael sit down for a bumper episode to discuss AI in debating, speech writing and education more generally. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1976881650232?aff=oddtdtcreator
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  2025 Wrapped 22.12.2025 56min

  In this episode, Kate and Michael reflect the last year in debating and look at some things we hope improve, some things we appreciate and our favourite motion set of 2025.
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  Voice 21 drop by 12.12.2025 28min

  In this pod, Michael sits down with Amanda Moorghan, Director of Learning, Impact and Influence at Voice 21. Former colleagues who debated against each other many many years ago, Amanda and Michael discuss oracy research, the important of turn times, and whether debating deserves it's importance in the wider oracy conversation. Discussed in pod: https://oracycambridge.org/group-work-never-say-goodbye/ https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/d...
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  Do we hate Model United Nations? 13.10.2025 27min

  In this episode Kate & Michael discuss MUN and the perceived hatred between debating and MUN. If you want to take part in our competitions details can be found here: All Events - Debatehub
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  Are we scared of giving students a voice? 29.09.2025 23min

  Schools often talk about empowering student voice, but do we really want to hear what they have to say? Kate and Michael discuss.
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  Sixth formers discuss running their Year 5 debate clubs 15.09.2025 29min

  Every year, several of our sixth formers run clubs and teach lessons in local state primaries. In this episode Michael talks with two of his students who were teaching debating last year, what they learned, what they loved and what were the challenges.
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  The 7 baby steps to becoming an amazing oracy school 05.09.2025 23min

  Inspired by Dave Ramsey, Kate and Michael discuss the seven steps to making your school a thriving hub of oracy.
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  Oxbridge Interviews- A how to (Re-issue) 18.08.2025 59min

  Kate obtained a congratulatory first, a masters and a PhD at Oxford. During her time as a postgrad she was an interviewer for her college. In this episode, Michael picks her brain about Oxbridge interviews, how debating can help and some of the biggest mistakes students make with interviews. Kate also runs our 'Oxbridge Hub' which is a partnership programme offering support and practice interviews for students looking to pursue Oxbridge, Medical or Veterinary degrees. If you are intere...
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  Framing 04.08.2025 22min

  In this episode, Michael & Kate discuss 'framing' which can also be thought of as 'context setting'.
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  Opening Lines 14.07.2025 53min

  Kate & Michael discuss opening lines. First looking at great opening lines in literature, we then discuss how to have a great opening line for public speaking and how to use opening lines in competitive debating.
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  Points of Information 30.06.2025 1h 17min

  In this episode, Kate & Michael discuss POIs, the short interjections that you are allowed to offer in almost all forms of debating. How to give them, take them, their importance and their applications in real life.
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  Rebuttal 10.06.2025 47min

  In this episode, Michael & Kate dive deep on responding to and defeating arguments in competitive debating. To attend our debating summer camp for ages 12-16 click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-hampstead-debate-academy-summer-camp-age-12-to-16-tickets-1394411475259?aff=oddtdtcreator To attend our debating summer camp for ages 9-11 click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/manage/events/1394114015549/details
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  Impacting & Weighing 09.05.2025 45min

  In this episode, Kate & Michael discuss the importance of 'why important' - more commonly called impacting. We also look at 'why more important' and 'why most important' commonly called weighing.
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  Adolescence- How to discuss in schools with Laura Coryton 07.04.2025 59min

  In a special episode, Michael sits down with Laura Coryton MBE to discuss how schools can have productive conversations around the themes raised in the smash hit show Adolescence. Laura is the founder and director of the relationships and sex ed social enterprise 'Sex Ed Matters', the author of 'Speak Up!' and a prominent activist and campaigner. Referenced in this podcast: Sex Ed Matters | bringing sex education to the 21st century Laura Bates: Men who hate women Bell Hooks: All About Lo...
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  Analysis 19.03.2025 52min

  In the second episode of season 2 Kate & Michael discuss how to properly 'analyse' (explain/justify) points to make compelling and persuasive arguments. We cover chains, chunking, characterisation, analogy, intuition pumps and micro comparisons.
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  Coming Up With Points 19.02.2025 1h

  In this first episode of season 2, Kate & Michael discuss the tips and tricks of coming up with arguments, the most fundamentals and important skill in debating. Season 2 will focus on a different skill each episode.
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  Goal setting for competitive debaters 06.02.2025 47min

  In our first episode of 2025, Kate & Michael decided to talk about goal setting! How to set goals as a debaters that actually help you improve, how to know if you are being realistic. What to focus on to improve, and more!