Learning how to debate has many benefits for primary school children. Through debating, children can begin to explore big ethical questions. Children learn to see things from different perspectives and develop their speaking and listening skills. Taking part in debates also builds a child’s self-esteem. - Reasoning and evidence: turning facts and statistics into a strong argument.
- Expression and delivery: being able to speak with the right pace, tone, language and body language to engage an audience and convey your argument.
- Listening and responding: listening critically to the other side’s argument, and using what you hear to develop a well-reasoned response.
- Organisation and prioritisation: knowing how to structure your speaking, and when to say the things you want to say.
KS2 School Debate Assembly
The Holly Park debate team (made up of Y5 and Y6 children) led a formal KS2 debate.
The motion was: This House believes that children should wear school uniform.
Before the debate began, the children voted for, against or abstained. The two teams of children then presented their arguments. There was then time for questions from the floor. The children then had the opportunity to vote again. The debate team had prepared excellent speeches. The result was that the majority of KS2 children believed that we should NOT have school uniform. However, the team who were arguing for school uniform, did manage to increase their votes– winning over some of those who had abstained or disagreed previously. Thanks to Mrs Mehtar who had prepared the children well for the debate. We look forward to the next one!
Our debate team then went to Middlesex University and took part in an inter school debate event (with 14 other primary schools).
