You are warmly invited to join us for The Big Debate 2022, which will take place in the Bushell Hall on Thursday 17 March at 6.00pm 

Chairman: Michael Buerk

Motion: ‘This house believes that ‘wokeness’ has gone too far’

Proposing: Stephen Cole (Fetherston 1964-1970) and Freddie Truman

Stephen has had a long and distinguished career as an international journalist and presenter. Three years ago he launched the Chinese broadcaster CGTN in Europe as Executive Producer and presenter of their flagship show, The Agenda with Stephen Cole. Previously Stephen has been involved in the launch of four global news channels, Sky News, CNN International, BBC World (Click Online) and Al Jazeera in London and Doha. He is a former Chairman of the Institute of Diplomacy and Business. He is married to a former BBC Radio 4 Senior Producer Anne-Marie and his three sons say he tells the worst jokes in the world.

Freddie is an Upper Sixth Student studying German, Politics and English Literature. He has competed alongside Alex at University competitions, and has also progressed to the International European Youth Parliament competition, having had success in the National round with his discussion of Assistive Technologies for the Disabled community.

Opposing: Daniele Harford-Fox and Alex Warburton 

Daniele is the Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning) having joined the school in 2009 as the Head of Psychology. She has been responsible for a number of initiatives from a large body of work on inclusion, gender and equality, through to the introduction of the Novus Curriculum, a reimagining of how to approach education in the 21st Century. Her work on PSHE and Sex Education was recognised nationally and she has recently been working with Farrer’s in London, speaking on how to reduce sexual harassment in schools. As a debating coach at Solihull, she is delighted to have this last hurrah and opportunity to debate before she takes up her new role as Principal of The Ladies’ College, Guernsey in April.

Alex is an Upper Sixth student studying German, Politics and Ancient Greek. She has competed in competitions at local universities and taken part in the ESU Public Speaking competition in 2020, winning best speaker in the opening round for her speech on the #METOO movement.