That’s why we’re delighted to be celebrating students from The Portsmouth Academy, who were recently crowned champions of a debating competition.
Competing against 13 other schools from across Portsmouth, a team of Year 7 and Year 9 students took part in The Big Debate 2026, run by local organisation UNLOC to challenge communication and presenting skills.
The event saw students from The Portsmouth Academy debate a range of local, national and international issues; only discovering what side of the topic they’d be debating until the day itself, requiring them to think on their feet and adapt under pressure.
After impressing throughout the day, The Portsmouth Academy secured a place in the final where the deciding debate was on artificial intelligence tools in the classroom. In a tightly contested final, the judge praised The Portsmouth Academy’s students for the quality of their opening and closing statements.
For these students, The Big Debate was an opportunity to grow in confidence and realise the value of their voice. They were ecstatic to discover they’d been crowned with the winners, including Kayla saying it was ‘one of the best experiences of my life’, while Dara valued the opportunity to meet with and learn from other schools.
Speaking on the wider achievement from the students, the school’s Reading Champion Kerry Carter recognised the skills they’ll take from the experience.
"It's been a real pleasure to work with these students and for them to win the competition is a fantastic celebration of student voice.
“They showed courage, confidence and resilience to prepare and deliver strong arguments around important issues which they feel so passionately about.
"They'll take so much more from this experience than winning; it will give them the self-belief they need so they can be their best self at school and beyond".
Michelle Smith FCCT, Interim Deputy CEO for the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, recognised The Portsmouth Academy’s dedication to providing opportunities for their young people.
"The Portsmouth Academy continue to build a culture where students know their voices matter and this achievement is a shining example of that.
"Seeing them speak so confidently on issues which will affect their future is inspiring, and a brilliant reflection of how the school creates opportunities for them to be heard".
Across the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, young people become active citizens through opportunities just like this. Student voice allows them to have the freedom to speak up on important issues, showing them how they can bring about change in their communities and wider world.