We are delighted to announce that, for the first time ever, we will be running the England Summer Academy from 10 to 17 August 2026.
This is a free debate programme for state-educated pupils with limited debating experience who are interested in applying for the next cycle of the England Development Squad.
Programme Details
Format: Online workshops and debates from 10 to 14 August, with an in-person day in London on 17 August.
Eligibility: Participants must:
- Attend a state funded school
- Be in academic years 8 to 10 as of June 2026 (i.e., starting years 9 to 11 in September 2026)
Expected commitment: Participants must be able to attend all online sessions from 10 to 14 August – these will be full-day sessions, with morning and afternoon activities – and are encouraged to attend the in-person day on 17 August.
Timeline: Applications close on 28 June, 23:59 UK time. We aim to notify participants by 20 July.
Contact: Please email developmentsquad@debateengland.com if you have any questions or concerns.
Application Form
Click here for the application form.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Summer Academy and the Development Squad? Which should I apply for?
The Summer Academy is a programme that aims to provide additional debate coaching and exposure for pupils interested in applying for the Development Squad in the 2026-27 academic year. As such, the Summer Academy is more suitable for younger pupils with less debating experience. We also anticipate being able to accommodate more pupils in the Summer Academy than in the Development Squad, given the nature of both programmes.
Do I need to pay to participate in the Summer Academy?
No, participation in the programme is completely free. However, you will be responsible for your own travel fare for participation in the in-person component of the programme.
I don’t have a lot of debating experience or prior coaching. Should I still apply?
You should absolutely apply! We do not require a history of prior debating success. While we do ask about applicants’ prior debate experience, this is merely to help us gauge the level at which to pitch our programme.
Instead, our key focus is motivation, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn and grow as a debater. You could demonstrate this by engaging with additional reading, free online training resources (e.g., recorded debate rounds and workshops on YouTube), and participation in similar activities (e.g., mooting, MUN, public speaking).
I am unable to submit my application by the due date. Is it possible to get an extension?
Please email developmentsquad@debateengland.com with your request and the reason you need an extension.
Will you accept multiple pupils from the same school? Should I bother applying if I know my classmates are also applying?
You should definitely still apply! While we do try to ensure a diverse field of participants for each cycle, we evaluate all applications on a case-by-case basis, and do not have a fixed cap on the number of participants we accept from any one school.
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