John Willmott take top spot as debating event returns

Talented John Willmott School students claimed victory in Sutton Coldfield’s annual Sixth Form School Debating contest, which served up a fascinating evening of argument and ideas.

The event has been organised by Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell for more than 20 years and returned after a three-year break caused by the pandemic.

John Willmott had been the only school to never lift the top prize of Best Debating Team, but Hunor Veres and Tatenda Mutonga changed all that with a powerful performance in the competition held at fellow Arthur Terry Learning Partnership school Arthur Terry School.

The duo impressed judges Tina Swani, of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, and Dennis Kennedy, of Community Games organisers Inspire Activity, with persuasive debates on Post-Brexit Britain and the Royal Family.

Mr Mitchell was unable to attend the debates for the first time in years, due to urgent ministerial duties brought about by the crisis in Sudan, so head judge Gary Phelps stepped in to chair the event.

Mr Mitchell said: “It’s clear that a wonderful evening was had, leaving all those who attended inspired by the brilliant young people who took part.

“Many congratulations to Hunor Veres and Tatenda Mutonga from John Willmott School. Their success is a clear sign that the school is on the up and I know everyone in the audience was hugely impressed by their debating skills.”

Delighted John Willmott Headteacher Nicola Gould said: “We are so proud of Hunor and Tatenda for winning the debating competition. The quality of the competition was, as always, incredibly high.

“We’ll be bringing the trophy back to John Willmott now and hope it inspires our students to go on and compete in more contests and aim ever higher.”

Second place went to Arson Kalambettu and Sam Bryars from Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, while Arthur Terry’s Isla Bergin-Smith picked up the award for ‘Best Speaker’, after passionately talking about Brexit and the sale of human organs.

Plantsbrook School, Bishop Walsh Catholic School, Sutton Coldfield College, Fairfax Academy and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls also competed.

All of the debaters who took part in the contest will visit Mr Mitchell for a tour of the House of Commons later this year, when they will get the chance to see Parliamentary debates in action.

As winners, John Willmott will host next year’s competition.

Main picture: Hunor Veres and Tatenda Mutonga from John Willmott School with chairman Gary Phelps and judges Tina Swani and Dennis Kennedy.