Debating For Everyone is an agency offering training and consultancy for debating and public speaking, founded and led by Julian Bell.
From 2000 to 2021 Julian Bell was Head of English and Debating at Godolphin and Latymer School in London. In September 2021 he retired from teaching to devote himself full time to his passion for debating. He provides training in debating to students in prep, primary and secondary schools both in person and online across the UK, and overseas, including schools in Spain and the USA. He also runs a number of debating competitions both online and in person.
Julian Bell is the author of The Debating Book: everything you ever need to know about debating, an introduction to the basic skills and practices of debating for students and teachers, and Think Like A Debater, which covers all the most commonly debated issues in depth, while also training debaters in thinking skills. Links to buy both books are below.
In November 2024, one of Julian's students was selected for the England schools debating squad.
Debating programmes
Julian has worked with the following schools and organisations to set up debating programmes.
Primary schools
- Bousfield School, South Kensington
- Deer Park School, Twickenham
- Harry Gosling School, Tower Hamlets
- Marlborough School, South Kensington
- Oratory Primary School, South Kensington
- Park Walk School, South Kensington
- Russell School, Petersham
- Vineyard School, Richmond-upon-Thames
Prep Schools
- Eaton Square Prep School, London
- Glendower Prep School, London
- Haberdasher's Aske's Boys' Prep School, Elstree
- Hurlingham Prep School, London
- Kensington Prep School, London
- Old Vicarage School, Richmond-upon-Thames
- Sarum Hall Prep School, London
- Westminster Under School, London
Secondary schools
- Bromley High School
- Charterhouse School, Surrey
- Ellesmere College, Shropshire
- Evelyn Grace Academy, London
- Francis Holland School, Regent's Park
- Grey Court School, Ham
- Highgate School, London
- Holy Family Catholic School, Walthamstow
- Lingfield College, Surrey
- London Academy of Excellence
- Oak House School, Barcelona
- Orleans Park School, Twickenham
- Queen's College, London
- Queen's Gate School, London
- Redden Court School, Havering
- Sacred Heart High School, Hammersmith
- Sir John Leman High School, Beccles
- St Alban's High School
- St Catherine's School, Eastbourne
- Stamford School, Lincolnshire
- Tiffin School, Kingston-upon-Thames
- Virtus College, Madrid
- Westminster Academy
- Wimbledon High School, London
Other organisations
- The Association of Muslim Schools (an umbrella organisation representing 175 Muslim schools across the UK).
- The Sikh Education Association (an umbrella organisation supporting young adults from the Sikh community across the UK).
Julian runs weekly clubs for Y5-6 students at Glendower Prep School in South Kensington, Deer Park School in Twickenham, and Old Vicarage School and Russell School in Richmond-upon-Thames. He also runs weekly online clubs for Y9-12 students at Highgate School, and for Y8-10 students at a range of different schools.
Julian was recently interviewed on Canadian radio, offering advice to politicians on how to prepare for debates. You can listen to the interview here: How to prepare for debates.
Debating For Everyone is unique in that all training is delivered exclusively by Julian Bell, or by his associate Michael Hepburn, Director of Debate Hub at South Hampstead High School, and one of the most experienced and respected debate coaches in the country. Whereas comparable debating training agencies are likely to use student trainers with little or no teaching experience, he brings 35 years’ experience of teaching and over twenty years of being at the heart of schools debating.
The Debating Book
Do you want to start debating, but don't know what to do? Have you just started debating and want to get better at it? Are you already an experienced debater and want to be the best you can be? Are you a teacher who wants to set up a debating club, or make your existing debating club even better? Are you a parent who wants to support your child with debating? Then this book is for you. Written with authority, passion and wisdom by one of the leaders of UK schools debating, it will tell you everything you ever need to know about debating.
Think Like A Debater
Do you want to be a better debater? Then you need to ... Think Like A Debater.
Think Like A Debater covers all the major debate topics. For each topic, it provides historical background and context; a detailed analysis of the issues, showing where ideas clash and why; a summary of arguments on both sides; a list of suggested debate motions; and recommended reading for further study. Reading it and using it will make you a better debater and a better citizen.
