2026-27 Season
Everything you need for ESU competitions
Welcome to the ESU Competition Hub! Your one-stop-shop for all things competitions. This site has all information and resources you need to compete in ESU’s Schools’ Mace Debating, Public Speaking or Performing Shakespeare Competitions. Scroll down or click the links above for next steps, general information and frequently asked questions.
3
COMPETITIONS
12
REGIONS
700+
REGISTERED SCHOOLS
1
INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE
Key Dates at a Glance
Pop the following key dates into your diary to ensure you and your team are ready for each level of the competition.
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Schools' Mace
Welcome Packs Sent Out
This will include information for the year and how to start preparing you and your team before the round one draw is sent.
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Public Speaking
Welcome Packs Go Out
This will include information for the year and how to start preparing you and your team before the round one draw is sent.
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Performing Shakespeare
Welcome Pack Goes Out
This will include information for the year and how to start preparing you and your team before the round one draw is sent.
Select your competition
Below you’ll find information about each of our competitions. Click on the link below to the competition you’ve registered for to get the flow of the competition, understand what’s expected at each round and see what the judges will be looking for.
Approved Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh Award
We are proud to be an Approved Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh Award! This means that students are able to use their participation in our Schools’ Mace Debating and Public Speaking Competitions for their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award Skills section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a burning question? Look no further!
Scroll through our Frequently Asked Questions page to find answers to our most popular questions.
Don’t see your question listed? Contact the Competitions Team and we’ll get you sorted!
Who may compete in the competitions?
All students must be enrolled in full-time education at your school. Please see the age requirements below for each competition:
Schools’ Mace Debate: Ages 11-18 (Years 7-13)
Public Speaking Competition: Ages 13-16 (Years 9-11)
Performing Shakespeare: Ages 11-14 (Years 7-9)
Please note: all students must be within the listed age ranges for the entirety of the competition. For example, students turning 17 before the end of the Public Speaking Competition are ineligible to compete- but should join Schools' Mace!
One of the competing students on our team (Mace or PSC) cannot attend the heat, can we swap them out with another student?
Schools’ Mace and PSC teams consist of three to five students, all of whom must be in full-time secondary education at the same school. Three students will compete in each round, but it is perfectly acceptable to switch out these students between rounds from the team of (maximum) five. If a school enters two teams for PSC, students cannot switch between teams.
When will we receive the details of our round 1 heats?
Round 1 draw release dates are listed in the 26-27 Comps calendar. This is when you will receive all necessary information regarding your round including date, time, location, participating schools and topic list (for PSC) or motion and position (for Mace). A similar email will be sent for subsequent rounds. Please note, the draws for each competition will be sent on different dates- refer to the calendar for details.
Details for your heats will be sent from Competition@esu.org. Please check your inbox and junk folder if missing any information. If you are still unable to find these details, please email Competition@esu.org.
What do students have to wear?
For all ESU events, we would like to see all students dressed in professional or school appropriate attire.
Schools’ Mace & PSC: Students should wear their school uniforms or business casual clothing.
Performing Shakespeare: Students should wear school uniforms or dress in all black.
Who do I inform if I am running late?
Please contact the competitions team at 020 7529 1565, as soon as possible if you are running late to your heat and provide your expected ETA. Each heat will have a competition lead present who will be in charge of sticking to timings. The ESU will notify the competition lead, who will either delay the start time or rearrange the running order of the heat.
Before your heat, please check travel conditions and consider traffic before departing. If you run into any issues, please let us know as soon as possible.
Level up your teaching with CPD
Our CPD workshops equip educators with practical, research-backed strategies to embed oracy seamlessly into their teaching. Through interactive activities – such as structured discussions, debates and inclusive classroom techniques – teachers learn how to create engaging learning environments that encourage active participation and critical thinking.