Senior Debating with St Aloysius

Year 10 and 11 Channing Senior School volunteers work with Year 10 and 12 pupils from St Aloysius College at Channing Senior School to help them learn debating skills and boost their self-confidence in regard to public speaking.

Aims

To create a pathway for St Aloysius School pupils to help them learn to debate in a collaborative environment where learning is seen as fun and goes beyond the classroom. We aim to build theirs as well as Channing students’ confidence.  The students work together as a group, dividing up responsibilities and building both their team working and collaboration skills.

Background

This is a new initiative which started in Spring 2022. We are hoping to explore partnerships with local State schools, including St Aloysius College. We wanted to develop academic enrichment for students, particularly those who may not otherwise be able to participate in extra curricular clubs.  St. Aloysius were hoping to encourage their students to participate in public speaking and Channing has a growing body of students who are passionate about debating.  

Resources

The school provides lunch for the Year 10 and 11 volunteers from Channing Senior School, along with Channing’s Debating Coordinator, to run a Senior Debating Club at Channing for Year 10 and 12 pupils from St Aloysius. Each student is provided with essential resources and access to devices and technology to help with their research.

Impact

Students have become more confident with public speaking.  They will continue with debating club next year and plan to enter debating competitions.

Pupil Involvement

The club involves a group of Year 10 and 11 volunteers who plan the debating sessions, with a  teacher supervising. They work alongside a group of Year 10 and 12 pupils. 

Frequency

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