King’s Ely students took part in Inter-Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition with the aim of getting to the House of Commons.

The competition, now in its fourth year, was established by Lucy Frazer MP.

All seven secondary schools in the constituency are taking part this year and King’s Ely was the first to get the ball rolling today.

For the in-house rounds, participating schools were given a choice of two motions.

King’s Ely students chose to debate the motion, ”this house believes that tuition fees should be scrapped and historic debt for student fees should be written off”.

Later this week Ely College and Impington Village College will debate the alternative motion, ”this house believes that social media is a force for good”.

Each school follows a set format for the debate with eight participants, four on each side of the debate, having three minutes to speak.

The two best debaters from each school will be put forward to take part in the final on December 6 at the House of Commons.

King’s Ely’s winning duo were Emma Garrett and Katherine Mann.

MP Frazer said: “It was a real privilege to attend Friday’s debate at King’s Ely.

“The standard, as in previous years, was extremely high and it was so encouraging to see just how engaged the pupils are in the competition.”

Sue Freestone, principal of King’s Ely, said: “I have huge admiration for the young people who are brave enough to take part in these debates.

“They have to be articulate speakers and quick thinkers whilst keeping cool heads in the face of challenge.”