News - South West Schools Prepare for Debating Challenge
Schools and Colleges across the South West are polishing up their arguments ahead of a region-wide debating competition in December.
Year 10 pupils from nine institutions between Penzance and Taunton will go head-to-head in the HEAT (Higher Education Aspiration Tournament) debating competition, which will tackle the topics of CCTV and animal experimentation.
The event is being organised by the Aimhigher Peninsula Programme and The English Speaking Union, who are also providing five chairpersons. A number of organisationations, including hosts the University of Plymouth, will be supplying the judges.
Cherry Hingston, one of the Peninsula Programme Officers, said: "This experience will help the pupils to gain confidence in public speaking, develop their writing and research skills as well as enhance their ability to work effectively in a team - all of which will be very useful if they choose to progress to higher education."
The teams of ten are currently working with programme officers to hone their debating skills before the event on Wednesday 8 December. Each will debate two motions: 'CCTV is a threat to our freedom' and 'Animal experimentation cannot be justified'.
Speakers will be scored on four categories: reasoning and evidence; organisation and prioritisation; listening and response; expression and delivery. Each school will be able to score a maximum of 100 points for each debate, and the winning side will receive the coveted trophy, with consolation medals for the second and third-placed teams.
The competitors are: Sir James Smith's Community School, Camelford; Paignton Community and Sports College; Penryn College; Launceston College; St Cuthbert Mayne, Torquay; Ilfracombe Arts College; Taunton Academy; Humphry Davy School, Penzance; and Bideford College.