The issue of gay marriage will take centre stage at Queens’ School in Bushey on Wednesday, as notorious gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, is pitted against Austin Ivereigh from the Catholic Church.

The debate will take place as part of a provocatively titled "Battle of Dangerous Ideas" day-long conference, also featuring discussions on whether people have the right to be offensive and "is religion is a fantasy for the weak-minded".

Kevin Rooney, head of politics at the school and organiser of the conference, said: "Queens’ School has a proud reputation of debating and we certainly never duck the hard issues. "Whether allowing gay people to marry will undermine marriage, if we should allow people to shout racist abuse in order to protect the principle of free speech and the role of religion in society are all topical controversies that our students talk about every day.

"Watching these seasoned public speakers thrashing out these issues with passion and conviction will engage our students and encourage them to articulate their own views on the issues. "I think encouraging students to engage with wider societal debates is an important part of the education and broader development of Queens’ students - it gives them the edge when applying to the UK’s top universities."

Students from Queens’ School in Aldenham Road have won three national debating competitions over the past ten years.