The Intermediate Programme at Ivy Spires is a high-rigor competitive debate curriculum designed for students transitioning from foundational debating into advanced strategic performance. This programme does not merely teach students how to “speak well.” It trains them to think structurally, argue comparatively, manage pressure, understand judge psychology, and compete across international debate formats.

Built as a 36-session progression across eight integrated phases, the programme introduces students to:

• advanced argument architecture,
• strategic rebuttal systems,
• framing and meta-debate,
• tournament-grade research,
• format specialisation,
• judge adaptation,
• evidence comparison,
• and competition psychology.

Students specialise in a Major Format (World Schools, Public Forum, or Lincoln-Douglas) while developing competency in a secondary Minor Format. The programme mirrors the training structures used in elite international debate circuits and university-level competitive environments.

Each session combines:

• Technical instruction
• Live clash drills
• Applied strategic exercises
• Pulse-check evaluations
• Portfolio-based mastery tasks

The curriculum culminates in internal tournament simulations, strategic evaluation, and preparation for external national and international debate competitions.

Programme Outcomes

By the end of the Intermediate Programme, students will be able to:

• Construct layered, internally consistent arguments
• Execute strategic rebuttals under pressure
• Perform comparative impact calculus
• Conduct evidence-quality analysis
• Adapt arguments across formats and judging paradigms
• Manage competitive rounds strategically
• Build tournament-ready case files
• Deliver persuasive speeches with authority and clarity
• Compete in formal judged debate environments

Recommended Audience

• Students completing foundational debate training
• Competitive middle and high school debaters
• Students preparing for NSDA, WSDC, Harvard-style, or international tournaments
• Students seeking advanced critical thinking and public speaking development

Programme Structure

• 36 Sessions
• 8 Phases
• 1 Hour Per Session
• Portfolio-Based Assessment
• Major & Minor Format Specialisation

Supported Formats

• World Schools Debate Championship (WSDC)
• Public Forum (PF)
• Lincoln-Douglas (LD)
• British Parliamentary Exposure (BP)