Leeds youngsters put their debating skills to the test

Pupils from across Leeds primary schools demonstrated their debating skills at a special competition at Leeds Civic Hall last week.

To support and encourage Leeds schools to develop pupils’ confidence and debating skills, Leeds City Council hosted a city-wide debating competition for pupils in years five and six.

The teams of three put their best arguments forward on some tricky topics throughout the course of the competition, including debating the pros and cons for a ‘Go Ape’ centre at Temple Newsam; whether the school day should be two hours longer or not, and; whether the Internet does more harm than good.

Pupils from 28 primary schools took part in the regional heats for the competition, which is now in its third year. The six schools which reached the finals were: Holy Rosary and St Anne’s Catholic Primary School; Harehills Pirmary School; Moor Allerton Hall Primary School; Bramley St Peter’s Primary School; Bankside Primary School and: St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School.

The award for best speaker went to Harry Brown from Moor Allerton Hall Primary School and the overall winning team were Khadija Hussain, Aleesha Shakeel and Aisha Hussain from Harehills primary school.

The winners and runners-up were presented with their prizes by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Graham Latty, the Lady Mayoress of Leeds Cllr Pat Latty, Cllr Lisa Mulherin executive member for children and families and Duncan Partridge, Director of Education, English Speaking Union

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, executive member for children and families said:

“Debating is a skill which is often overlooked, but it can help improve a child’s confidence and self-esteem, as well as being useful for their future education and career options. Not only does it support pupils to express and justify their own opinions, it also provides a platform for them to consider the opinions and feelings of others.”