Debate Club
Welcome to Minds Underground Debating!
1-1 debate classes & group courses hosted by our Oxbridge & UK National Debate Team coaches
Debate for Girls: Read our blog: “How Debating Gives Girls the Skills, Knowledge, and Confidence to Succeed”
Current affairs articles, debate topic ideas & tasks
Why Join Our Online Debate Classes?
Debating can be a key part of a young person's toolbox, giving life-changing cognitive and presentational skills. It gives students the confidence, poise and self-esteem as well as the ability to structure and organise their thoughts that can take them from an irrational teen to a convincing young adult.
Public-Speaking.
Debate builds confidence in public speaking, analysis of arguments and strategic thinking. You will learn how to assert yourself vocally so you can best reflect your intelligence and aptitude in both school and out-of-school settings. Hone communication skills in an encouraging environment.
Broadening Perspectives.
Debate cuts across topics such as climate change, social media, abortion, euthanasia, free speech, voting age and artificial intelligence. Students will have the opportunity to learn about important topical issues of economic, social, political and philosophical importance, which will have a transformative effect on their intellectual lives.
Analytical Thinking.
Debating gives confidence, poise and self-esteem, as well as the ability to structure and organise thoughts. Our programmes contain key elements of logic and critical thinking that teach students how to reason and structure an argument to convincingly deliver and justify their proposition.
Oxbridge Entrance.
Could you apply to Oxford or Cambridge in the future? Oxbridge admissions tests, particularly the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment), test students' problem-solving skills, including critical thinking skills, the ability to understand an argument; and to reason using everyday language. Practising debate will serve students well for both these tests and the notorious interview process.
Meet our Host
Alice
Alice is an experienced debater and educator with a background in both British Parliamentary and ESU debating, reaching regional finals as a teenager. She was also the senior national winner of the ESU My Magna Carta public speaking competition. Since then, she has run debating sessions at summer camps and taught debate as part of her work in schools. Alice graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2024 with a Master’s (MPhil) in Classics, having previously achieved a First Class degree in Classics at the University of Oxford. Alongside her studies, she gained extensive teaching experience as a Teacher of Latin at Dauntsey’s School, where she taught students aged 11–18, ran an Odyssey club and led Oxbridge preparation. Alice brings the same energy and clarity to debate coaching, helping students sharpen their analytical thinking, improve their delivery and approach discussions with confidence.
Current Online Debate Classes.
Junior Debate (U14)
Senior Debate (15+)
Autumn Term Dates 2026
Timings:
Junior Debate: Sundays 9:30-10:30am (UK time)
Senior Debate: Sundays 10:45-11:45 am (UK time)
Dates:
Session 1: 3rd October
Session 2: 10th October
Session 3: 17th October
Session 4: 24th October
HALF TERM
Session 5: 7th November
Session 6: 14th November
Session 7: 21st November
Session 8: 28th November
Minds Underground’s Debate Club FAQs
What is Minds Underground’s Online Debate Club?
Minds Underground’s Online Debate Club offers expert-led online debate classes for students who want to develop their public speaking, critical thinking and argumentation skills. Through structured debates, topical discussions and interactive exercises, students learn how to build persuasive arguments, respond confidently to opposing viewpoints and communicate their ideas clearly. Separate Junior and Senior Debate Clubs allow sessions to be tailored to students’ ages and abilities.
What are the benefits of joining an online debate club?
Joining an online debate club can help students develop public speaking confidence, critical thinking, persuasive communication, active listening and teamwork. At Minds Underground, students explore engaging debate topics and current affairs, learning to evaluate evidence, consider different perspectives and defend their ideas effectively. These skills can support academic performance as well as school interviews, essay writing, presentations and future university applications.
What skills will students develop in the Minds Underground Debate Club?
Students learn how to construct a strong argument, use evidence effectively, challenge opposing viewpoints and deliver persuasive speeches. Sessions also develop research, analytical thinking, rebuttal, teamwork and confident communication. Regular practice gives students the opportunity to become more articulate speakers while learning how to approach complex topics from multiple perspectives.
Is the Online Debate Club suitable for beginners?
Yes. The Minds Underground Online Debate Club is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced debaters. Students are supported in learning the fundamentals of debating, including how to structure an argument, present ideas clearly and respond to other speakers. As their confidence develops, they can progress to more sophisticated debates, techniques and topics.
What topics do students debate?
Students explore a wide range of age-appropriate debate topics, spanning current affairs, politics, ethics, technology, science, education, economics and society. Topics are regularly refreshed to reflect important contemporary issues and students’ interests, encouraging them to engage critically with the world around them.
What is the difference between the Junior and Senior Debate Clubs?
Our Junior and Senior Debate Clubs are designed for different ages and stages of debating experience. Junior students focus on developing the foundations of confident speaking, argument construction and critical thinking through accessible, engaging topics. Senior students tackle more complex contemporary issues and develop increasingly sophisticated skills in argumentation, rebuttal, analysis and persuasive communication.
Who teaches the online debate classes?
Minds Underground’s debate classes are led by experienced debaters, academics and specialist debate coaches. Our wider debating team has included UK National Debate Team coaches, Oxford and Cambridge debating society officers, international competition winners and experienced school debate coaches, giving students access to exceptional academic and debating expertise.
Can debating help with school and university applications?
Yes. Debating develops many of the skills valued in competitive school and university applications, including confident communication, independent thinking, intellectual curiosity and the ability to analyse unfamiliar questions. It can be particularly valuable preparation for interviews and discussion-based admissions processes, where students need to think clearly and articulate their reasoning under pressure.
How do the online debate classes work?
Sessions take place live online in small, interactive groups. Rather than simply listening to a lecture, students are encouraged to contribute throughout the session, develop arguments, respond to their peers and participate in structured debates. This gives every student regular opportunities to practise their speaking and analytical skills.
How do I join the Minds Underground Online Debate Club?
Students can register for the Junior or Senior Online Debate Club through the Minds Underground website. If you are unsure which group would be most suitable, our team can advise based on the student’s age, experience and goals.