CIRENCESTER College's Debating Society have made it through to the national finals of a debating competition.

The team were crowned Central Regional Final Champions and will go to the national finals of the Debating Matters competition.

The victory also means that Cirencester College has one of the top 12 debating teams in the country.

The regional competition was held at Leicester University, where six schools and colleges from the middle of England battled it out for a place in the national finals.

Students took part in three debates.

Annabel Hill and Tom Schaffner went first, debating for the motion ‘There should be tougher regulations on the sharing economy’ against Chilwell School.

Brad Frankham and Karrie Mead competed in Round Two, debating against the motion, ‘Political parties are bad for democracy.’ Leicester Grammar School debated for the motion.

Cirencester College made it through to the final debate against Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College, with Lydia Zioupos and Torin Brown arguing for the motion ‘The constant monitoring of our health does more harm than good’.

Lydia Zioupos was presented with the Best Individual Award.

She said: “I genuinely cannot believe we have reached the national finals! I am very excited and so proud of the whole team. Thank you to Dan and Sara for all your help and support.”

The students were led by law lecturer Daniel Nield and English lecturer Sara Jennings. 

The national finals will take place from June 20 to July 2 in London.