Sixth-formers take to House of Lords for fiery debate final

Sixth form students took to the House of Lords on Friday after securing their place in the final of a keenly-contested debating competition.

Pupils from Thomas Tallis School, in Kidbrooke Park Road, Kidbrooke, were narrowly pipped at the post by a team from Buckinghamshire’s Aylesbury Grammar School in the last round of Debating Matters.

The Greenwich youngsters spoke against the motion that ‘assisted dying should be legalised’.

Despite just missing out on the winnings, the students impressed the judging panel consisting of Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Dr Tiffany Jenkins, and Dr Jim Panton.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton said: “Both teams debated the final very well, putting their points across clearly. It was a pleasure to be part of the judging panel”.

Earlier in the day, the Kidbrooke based school defeated Cheshire’s Congleton High School in a debate on artificial intelligence, progressing them to the final.

Prosper Uzohuo, 17, of Thomas Tallis School, who won the prize for best individual in the debate, said: “It was a really insightful experience, and I was able to see different viewpoints in the debates.

“We came to the House of Lords and had a wonderful tour, seeing the Lords in all its greatness.

“We were able to get a great experience with multiple schools and really engage in educated discussion. I thank Debating Matters and the House of Lords for giving us this opportunity”.

The Debating Matters competition is part of the House of Lords engagement programme which connects members of the Lords with new audiences, particularly young people, and opens up new ways of explaining the work of Parliament’s second chamber.

Pictured top: Pupils from Thomas Tallis School who took part in the final of Debating Matters at the House of Lords on Friday (Picture: House of Lords 2025 / photography by Roger Harris)