Teams from the Girls’ Grammar School, Bradford overcame heavy odds to sweep the board in the junior section of the Schools Debating Competition run by Bradford Law School.

Junior runners-up Rafiah Khan, 13, and Sophia Akhtar, 12, had never spoken in a public forum before. Rafiah had only learned the previous day that she was in the team to take part in the competition at Bradford College.

They were beaten into first place by only one point by fellow students Elizabeth Davies, 15, and 12-year-old Bismah Ali.

Bismah, who was a member of last year’s winning junior team, stepped in at the last minute after Elizabeth’s initial debating partner was taken ill and her replacement went on holiday to Germany. She also won the junior best individual trophy.

Winners in the seniors section were Huddersfield New College, with team member Erin Hill taking the best individual trophy.

This is the second year Bradford Law School has run the competition. Last year there were 12 debates throughout the day.

This year that number grew to 15, involving 30 two-person teams from schools across West Yorkshire.

Subjects debated included: pocket money should not be paid after age 14; teachers should be paid by results; and the quote of a former Texas governor: “You have to be twice as good as a woman to be considered as good as a man”.