Debating Club with Yerbury

Year 7 Channing student volunteers work with Year 6 pupils from Yerbury School at Channing Senior School to help them learn to debate and boost their self-confidence.

Aims

To create a pathway for Yerbury School pupils to help them learn to debate in an environment where learning is seen as fun and goes beyond the classroom. We also support those students to build their confidence.  For our Year 7 volunteers the aim is to help develop their communication, social and leadership skills.

Background

This is a new initiative which started in Spring 2022.  Through Channing’s partnership with Highgate Newtown Community Partners (HNCP) and Brookfield Nursery and Primary School, the ‘Education +’ programme seeks to extend academic and cultural enrichment to the local school community, particularly those who may not otherwise be able to participate in extra curricular clubs (in particular Pupil Premium pupils). The impact of Covid lockdowns meant that some children needed to rebuild their confidence and extend those skills that were not directly related to the curriculum.

Resources

Year 6 Yerbury students are provided with a snack before Year 7 volunteers help them with learning to debate and a Channing teacher supervises. Each student is provided with essential resources.

Impact

At the end of the sessions, students held a debate in front of their parents as an audience. They showed essential debating skills as well as it giving them the confidence to speak in public. It also enabled our Year 7 students to develop leadership skills and enhance their debating skills. 

Pupil Involvement

The club involves a group of Year 7 volunteers who plan the debating sessions, with a  teacher supervising. They work alongside a group of Year 6 pupils. 

Frequency

This is a weekly activity which is 40 minutes in length.