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Great Debate shows why critical thinking matters more than ever

Last updated: Feb 19th, 2026

Competitors at the Great Debate in Nottingham 2026

With more than 300,000 students across the UK studying history at GCSE, making it one of the most popular subjects outside the core curriculum, questions about how the past is understood remain firmly relevant to young people today. 

This focus was reflected in January, when students from across the East Midlands gathered at Nottingham High School for the Great Debate’s Nottingham heat.  Run by the Historical Association, the national competition encourages young people to engage with the past and is sponsored by award-winning school and group travel operator Rayburn Tours. 

This year’s question, “How important are personal and public records as evidence for explaining the story, or stories, of your local area?”, encouraged students to explore how identity, belonging and community are shaped not only by official archives, but by personal memories and everyday voices. 

History expert Professor Anna Greenwood who served as the judge for the Nottingham heat said below…

 

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I always enjoy judging this annual competition, and I enjoy it because it’s so great to see genuine talent. I feel really privileged to see a new generation thinking about their relationship to their locality, because that link to belonging gives us a sense of identity and allows us to think about who we are in the world.

Professor Anna Greenwood

Professor Greenwood added that interacting with local history helps students develop into what she described as “deliberative citizens”. Young people can reflect on where they come from and think critically about the world around them. 

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The Great Debate brings everyone together in one big event. You can interpret the question however you like, so it’s nice to see the creativity behind everyone’s debates.

The winning student

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I’m always inspired by the abilities of the students who take part in the Great Debate. The competition develops structured thinking, clear articulation and persuasive communication, and it is vital that students have opportunities like this to build confidence that will hopefully last them a lifetime.

Anne-Marie Stephenson, Marketing Manager at the Historical Association

Events such as the Great Debate are increasingly seen as key to helping young people build confidence, communication skills and the ability to weigh evidence – skills essential not only for academic success, but for active participation in society. 

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From participating in the Great Debate to embarking on history trips abroad with your students, learning beyond the classroom can be experienced in so many different ways. Find out more about school history trips by getting in touch with our award-winning specialist team today!

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