Shropshire school debating team makes it through to national finals
A debating team from Shropshire's international school has made it through to a prestigious competition.
Ellen Kerslake and Leo He, who are both in their final year at Concord College near Shrewsbury, are through to the west of England regional finals of the Schools Mace.
They won their second round in the competition which has been running for schools in England since 1957, which makes it the oldest national debating competition in the UK.
The English Speaking Union, which organises the Schools Mace, gave the Concord debating team the challenge of opposing the motion 'This house would legalise the sale and purchase of human organs in the UK.'
This required a speech and addressing questions from the floor in a summary by the 18-year-olds who have both won places at Oxford University.
Ellen is going to study history while Leo is studying philosophy, politics and economics.
Neil Hawkins, Concord principal, said: "I am very proud of our debating team in what has been a very high standard of debating this year.
"Their achievement is a wonderful endorsement of Concord's commitment to encouraging discussion in order to make informed judgments.
"The team has also demonstrated its ability to develop knowledge of controversial issues."
The regional finals will be held in March.
