QEGS Debating Society QEGS Debating Society

This year, GCSE exams were cancelled for the first time since their introduction in 1988. As a result, the whole system has come under scrutiny. Defenders of GCSEs say that they introduce students to a range of subjects, and that universities and employers can easily understand and compare GCSE grades. But opponents argue that they focus too on cramming facts and learning how to sit exams.

What should students be taught in school? Are exams good or bad? What are the alternatives to the current system? Take a listen to hear Kian, Angelina, Liza and Tanya discussing these questions and more, when debating the motion, “This house believes that GCSEs are not fit for purpose”.

Aged 15, UK-born Shamima Begum left London to go to Syria to join ISIS. Five years on, she was found in a refugee camp, asking to return to the UK. Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped her of her British citizenship, but the Court of Appeals has ruled that she should be allowed to return to the UK to challenge this decision.

Did Javid’s decision leave her stateless, which is illegal under international law? How much of a risk does she still pose to the public? Did she effectively give up her rights when she left to join a terrorist group? Can she be held responsible for that decision even though she was a child? Take a listen to hear Jacob, Fran, Grace and Lydia discussing these questions and more, when debating the motion, “This house believes that Shamima Begum should be allowed to return to the UK to live”.

After more than 45,000 confirmed fatalities in the UK, the hope of a coronavirus vaccine is on the horizon. On the 20th July, a study in the Lancet suggested that the University of Oxford’s vaccine is safe and triggers an immune response; the government has already ordered 100 million doses. However, there is an increasing number of “anti-vaxxers” who fear about the safety of vaccines. A YouGov survey found that one in six adults in the UK would “definitely” or “probably” refuse to be vaccinated, threatening the success of herd immunity.

So should routine childhood vaccinations be compulsory? Who should be able to take that decision – the state or parents? What is the best approach to increase support for vaccinations? Take a listen to hear James, Jonty, Joshua and Angelina discussing these questions and more, when debating the motion, “This house believes that routine childhood vaccinations should be compulsory in the UK”.

A statue of Colston stood in the centre of Bristol because he was a philanthropist, donating money on his death to various good causes, such as almshouses. However, he was also a prominent slave trader, being Deputy Governor of the Royal African Company, which trafficked about 80,000 slaves. Because of this, his statue was torn down by Black Lives Matter protesters on the 8th June.

Was Colston more bad than good? Is it fair to judge a historical figure by current-day morals? Can we, and should we, change history? Take a listen to hear Liza, Kian, Angelina and Jacob discussing these questions and more, when debating the motion, "This house believes that it was good that Edward Colston's statue was torn down".