Donald Dewar Debate reaches semi-final stage
Sixteen schools to compete for places in national final
Schools from across Scotland have made it through to the semi-finals of the Law Society of Scotland's Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament.

Pupils at 16 schools from Shetland to Dumfries & Galloway, wlll contest the four semi finals next month for a place the national final on Thursday 17 June at the Scottish Parliament. The annual competition, the biggest schools’ debating tournament in Scotland, is sponsored by solicitors Simpson and Marwick and Hodder Gibson publishers.

Heather McPhee, Development Officer, Education and Training at the Law Society of Scotland, said: “We have seen some very impressive performances throughout the tournament and to win a place in the semi final, each of the 16 winning teams displayed true debating talent by coming up with some impressive points to argue their case."

She added: "It’s great to see the hard work and dedication of the pupils involved in the tournament paying off. I’m delighted that with the support of the Scottish European Educational Trust we are able to give young people a voice on issues and topics within a European context.”

The tournament, which has run since 1999, is named after the late First Minister, Donald Dewar, a solicitor, who was awarded honorary membership of the Society in 1998.

Schools in the semi-final are: Sandwick Junior High School, Shetland; St Margaret's School for Girls, Aberdeen; High School of Dundee; Fettes College, Edinburgh; Jedburgh Grammar School; Uddingston Grammar School; Dollar Academy, Dollar; Abronhill High School, Cumbernauld; Belmont Academy, Glasgow; Madras College, St Andrews; Craigmount High School, Edinburgh; Stewart's Melville College, Edinburgh; Dumfries Academy; Douglas Academy, Glasgow; Greenock Academy; and The Glasgow Academy.