Going up against some stiff competition from Christleton High, The Kings School and Bishops, the judges agreed that Upton were the strongest team and should represent the Chester area in the regional debate taking place in Wrexham in March.

Feedback from the judges states that Upton High School's advance to the next round was due to the participants’ storytelling, passion, and belief in their arguments. Their rhetorical questions engaged the audience, and the team’s unity and energy were palpable. The cohesive structure of the arguments, culminating in a strong conclusion, was another key strength.