Y5-Y6 Impress in their Debating Final

Would it be good to be famous? Should everyone be vegetarian? Do video games do more harm than good? Should we support space exploration? These were the hot topics up for debate by boys in this year’s Y5 – Y6 debating finals.

From Y5 to Y8, all boys have been busy learning the art of debating in lessons before participating in class competitions to select the finalists. And this week saw the first finals for our Y5 and Y6 boys (the Y7-Y8 final takes place in the New Year).

The exciting finals were a wonderful boy-led affair, with Y5 and Y6 boys helping to judge and chair them. Alex Brooksbank (Y6) and Gene Baker (Y5) added pupil voice to the judging panel, while SJ Gill, Arjun Dey (Y5) and Conor Hayes and Lucas Hill (Y6) chaired the debates, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere for the audience (all Y5 and Y6 boys and their teachers).

Speaking after the finals, Miss Bamber told us, “All boys spoke with courage and conviction, and we were seriously impressed with their well-researched, well-prepared points and corresponding evidence and examples. The standard was incredibly high: use of rhetoric, effective rebuttal and intent listening. We very much hope that Y5 and Y6 boys put themselves forward for future public speaking opportunities.”

Congratulations to all the boys who took part, especially all those who made the finals.