Sixth-form students from Truro School defeated five schools to win a place at the Debating Matters National Final, held in central London in July.

The 16 to 18-year-olds took part in a series of debates on topics such as if political parties are bad for democracy, health monitoring and trigger warnings.

Truro School defeated Exeter College in an excellent final on whether we should further regulate the sharing economy, impressing the judges with their astute arguments and quick thinking.

The competition involves nearly 300 schools and 2,000 students from around the UK.

Students faced judging panels of adults from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including local business leaders, scientists, authors and academics who questioned them on their arguments and challenged the schools to defend their research and thinking.

Claire Fox, director of the Debating Matters Competition, said: "The competition prides itself on taking young people seriously, valuing ideas and allowing free debate.

"Some of the brightest and best students are taken out of their comfort zone by tackling these topics.

"The quality of debaters was again exceptionally high in the West and South Wales region, so congratulations to Truro School.

“We emphasise substance, not just style of debating, and all the students have done incredibly well to get this far.”

Mary Carnock Cook, chief executive of UCAS, said: "This competition is great preparation for further academic study and for their professional lives”

Truro school will now go on to represent the West and South Wales region a the national final, held at the Museum of London, on July 1 to 2.