After-school debate clubs that unleash student potential

Why do we exist?

Low Social Mobility in the UK

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds face huge barriers to success in school, university, and employment.

Closing the Education Gap

We train university students to run after-school debate clubs in schools with high levels of disadvantage.

Building Skills for the Future

Our programmes are proven to boost communication, critical thinking, confidence, reslience, and empathy.

Raising Aspirations and Access

Every child deserves equal access to a top education, We support young people to find their voice, and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Our Programmes

Core Programme

Our flagship 17-week programme consists of weekly 1 hour after-school clubs, regional and national competitions running from November to April.

Check your school’s eligibility

Additional Programmes

Debate Mate Accelerate, Debate Mate Plus, and Graduate School are offered for free to our Core Programme participants.

Explore extra opportunities

International Programmes

Since 2012, Debate Mate has run summer programmes internationally in Nepal, Rwanda, Jamaica, Zambia, Mexico and Kenya.

See where we’ve been

Bespoke Programmes

Half-day, full-day, or weekly after-school sessions with schools, universities, charities and other partners. Tailored to your outcomes.

Design your programme

Teacher Training

Equips teachers and senior leaders with the knowledge, tools and resources to embed our methodology in the classroom and beyond. 

Start training today
Debate Mate has changed my life!
StudentPlymouth Grove Primary School, Manchester
Debate Mate is amazing!
StudentSacred Heart Catholic School, London
Debate Mate is the springboard for students to become who they truly are!
TeacherCardinal Heenan Catholic School, Liverpool
Debate Mate has allowed me to find my voice!
StudentSarah Bonnell School, London
Debate Mate has opened my eyes to what is possible in this world!
StudentCardiff West High School, Cardiff
It has had an incredible impact on the whole school community.
TeacherLordship Lane Primary School, London

We improve key skills for the future

Speaking & listening
Critical & creative thinking
Leadership & teamwork
Emotional intelligence
Resilience & adaptability
Confidence

Our Impact

%
of student’s said they enjoyed the programme
%
of students said they are more confident giving their opinion on issues in the world around them
%
of students said they are more confident when speaking up in class
%
of students said they are able to concentrate better when listening to others speak

The data above is taken from our 2023–24 Core Programme, where 200 schools took part, and 1695 students completed our post-programme survey.

The Difference We Make

Latest News

Case Studies

6 Posts

News

4 Posts

Team

13 Posts

Our Funders & Partners

We would like to thank all of our funders, supporters and partners of Debate Mate.

Contact Us

Have a question or want to work with us?
We’d love to hear from you – drop us a message via the form below

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