A WORCESTER public school is talking the talk after notching up a string of victories in the debating chamber.

Backed by local law firm Thursfields, Royal Grammar School, Worcester's Debating Society has enjoyed a highly successful year which has seen it crowned regional winner for the West in the English Speaking Union Mace Debating competition, winning the Turner Cup, a competition for the county's public schools, and taking the Taylor Trophy, an event held at Bromsgrove School.

Jane Waller, RGS's head of debating, said: "We so much enjoy working with Thursfields. It allows us to take part in a wider range of debating events such as the prestigious Durham University Schools competition. Moreover, it can also be a fantastic boon for the debating sessions themselves. For example, our next competition debate is looking at the role of prison in a law and order system. As we found last year, it is so useful to have the opportunity to discuss some of the issues around this motion with Thursfields."

During the School Open Day, Thursfield solicitor solicitor Helen Hanson was involved in chairing and judging the society’s debate on banning supermarket offers on unhealthy foods and the law firm is also running a careers workshop in December, reviewing what it means to be a solicitor.

Thursfields has also been involved in supporting some of the RGS debaters through Debate Academy. This is a five day workshop on debating run by the English Speaking Union. This year, the school had two Lower Sixth debaters, Tom Peake and Joey Dottore, selected for this camp with Thursfields’ sponsorship helping the latter to attend. aAs a result of his training, Joey went on to take part in the World Schools Trials down in London over Michaelmas half-term.

Solicitor Lauren Hartigan-Pritchard, who co-ordinates Thursfields education sector, said: "Thursfields is delighted to continue its sponsorship of the RGS

Worcester Debating Society, allowing us to enrich our existing links with the school."