Since becoming Head of English, it has been my aim to start debating and grow it year by year. Public speaking is a life skill. By practising now at school, many of the hurdles of public speaking, including nerves, can be overcome. It also encourages critical thinking, critical listening, thinking on your feet, the ability to put together a persuasive argument and inspires passion in issues that affect our community and society. As an added bonus, it also increases skills needed to do really well in the Common Entrance exams.
This year, all the children involved in debating have developed skills and confidence. I have particularly enjoyed witnessing one student’s personal journey via debating. It has
been phenomenal. This student can find writing and reading challenging as he’s dyslexic. Thanks to debating, his public speaking skills and confidence have rocketed.
I started debating at Westbourne House last year, and already this year has been so much more vibrant. I would like debating at Westbourne House to evolve and grow so
that every child has the chance to take part. As well as putting on more debates in general (including rematches of the popular parent vs pupil debates), and continuing with our debating club (spring and summer terms only), I would like to encourage teacher vs teacher debates. I think it is important to lead by example, and put yourself out there.
I took part in the parent vs children debate and it was good to remember how challenging it is and practice the skills involved from ordering thoughts, to thinking on your feet!
This term we have been to Brighton College for a debating afternoon and we had a few debates in Parliament Debating Week, including the parent vs pupil debates.
