Debating support

IPS assisted pupils from Earlsfield Primary School in preparing for their participation in a Wandsworth state primary school debating competition which led to an all-London final.

Aims

The project was spawned from the local authority’s decision, in 2017, not to hold a Model UN competition which had traditionally fed into the London Debate Challenge and given schools an opportunity to hone their debating skills prior to exposure in the all-London final. This project was designed to give pupils from Earlsfield an opportunity to debate against experienced debaters from another school prior to the London Final.

Background

IPS was asked by oracy consultants, The Noisy Classroom, to invite local primary schools to come into School for a series of debates so as to prepare them for the all-London Final.

Resources

10 pupils from IPS’s Prep Department were involved in this project, plus one teacher. Earlsfield Primary School brought 8 pupils and two members of staff. IPS provided a classroom for 3 hours, plus full catering.

Impact

All participant pupils declared that the project had been both enjoyable and instructive in terms of their debating skills.

Pupil Involvement

In total, 18 pupils were involved in this project. All were in Year 5.

Frequency

The project was a one-off, on one day. We hope, however, to repeat the endeavour in the years to come.