Scullion Law Debating Cup won by East Kilbride school

St Andrew's & St Bride's of East Kilbride has won this year's Debating Cup for South Lanarkshire schools, sponsored by local firm Scullion LAW.

Pupils David Fox and Owen Harrison were judged winners in the final against Uddingston Grammar, for their opposition to the motion "This house would cut welfare support for compulsive gamblers".

Now in its 10th year, the debate was judged by Ian Leitch CBE, Margaret Mitchell MSP, Hannah from Glasgow University Union and Gordon Lennox, senior private client solicitor from Scullion LAW.

Helen Salt from Determined to Succeed, who originally devised the competition along with Scullion LAW and South Lanarkshire Council, said it was developed "to encourage creative thinking, research skills and debating skills in young people". Katie Lyon, a teacher at the winning school, commented: "The students get so much in the way of confidence and good advice which stays with them into the future."

Some of the previous contestants have gone on to study law.