On Saturday 22^nd June, Mantie Parker and I had the absolute pleasure of taking 6 students to a day of debate at Colyton Grammar School.  We were invited by Alex Hawkes, teacher of English and Debate Club Leader at Colyton.  The event was organised by Alex and the University of Exeter Debating society to promote debating across the Southwest, particularly in schools where it is not fully established.

Debating can be enormously beneficial in improving pupils' oracy and self-confidence.  This is in addition to the skills of logical reasoning, analytical thinking and leadership.  

The following students attended, recommended by their English teachers.  They gave up their Saturdays to debate from 9am to 6pm with students from Colyton, Axe Valley and Torquay Academy.

Year 8 students:

Amelia Charles and Lucy Watt

Year 9 students:

Millie Bedding, Emmie Findel-Hawkins, Matilda Hatchard and Joseph Sheehy

There was a lot of parliamentary language and protocols for debating to learn and our students did really well considering Colyton has Debate running through their school from Years 7 to Sixth form.  

Students were given 15 minutes to plan statements such as:

• Closing private schools

• Professional sport should allow the legalisation of performance enhancing drugs

• Social media does more harm than good

The debates were exciting, strategic and frustrating, at times, but our students won some rounds and were commended for their skills in speaking. Our ECC students were engaged and forthright in their opinions, and we look forward to starting our own debate club in the new academic year.

A big thank you to support staff for helping Mantie and I organise this event.