The event has been set up by the charity Debate Mate, who specialise in training young people in debating skills and public speaking. It is one of three debates which aim to mirror the historic televised leadership debates and get young people talking about issues at the heart of the May 6th General Election. Wednesday's debate is being hosted by the City Academy, Bristol, who is providing two teams of students to debate around the theme 'Britain is no longer a Great Power'. The students from Oasis Academy Brightstowe will be joining students from Oasis Academy Bristol to make up the 'floor', and posing questions about international relations. Earlier in the week, students from Oasis Academy Bristol in Hengrove joined students from Oasis Academy Brightstowe for a day of preparatory training. They learnt about how to present persuasive arguments for and against current issues, such as the war in Afghanistan; issues around immigration; the nuclear threat and the EU. They then had a practice debate to help them understand how a formal parliamentary debate is structured and what would be required of them as the 'floor'. Oasis Academy Brightstowe student Jordan Holly said: "When we were debating, it felt like we were in parliament, which was cool. We learnt that by asking the right questions, you can prove your opponents wrong." Year 8 student Alex Scot said: "I enjoyed doing the debate because each side got a chance to say their piece and then the opposition got a chance to argue against it. We prepared speeches, but a lot of the time you had to think on your feet, which was quite exciting." Mr Woodville, Assistant Principal of Oasis Academy Brightstowe said: "This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience a formal debate and learn some new skills. It has definitely helped them build their confidence when speaking in front of other people and has also got them more interested in politics. "They are aware to some extent of what is going on in the general election, and this debate gives them a chance to voice their opinions on what's being said about their country, in a forum where they feel like their contributions matter." The highlights of Wednesday's debate will be broadcast on Sky News on Thursday 22nd April. They can also be viewed online, at -ENDS- Notes to Editors: Debate Mate To view this content you need Flash and Javascript enabled in your browser. Please download Flash from the Adobe download website. Debate Mate (DM) is a new venture, which uses debating to develop the verbal intelligence of young people in the areas where it is most needed. The majority of their work is in schools in areas of high child poverty. The programme develops skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership. The programme is delivered by young people who have been recruited from university debating societies, all of whom currently debate in national and international competitions, and are fully trained by Debate Mate. The charity's founder, Margaret McCabe, said that contrary to popular belief, teenagers were politically engaged and that large numbers of them wanted a career in politics. "Everyone who comes to watch the debates is amazed at how articulate and willing to take part young people are," said Ms McCabe.
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