Our House Debating Competition kicked off this week with our Year 13s making time amid their A-Level preparation and mock exam revision to debate the notion: ‘The two-child benefit cap should be scrapped.’
This was the first debate in our series and was part of the World Food Day Focus Week. The debates were judged by School Librarian Helena Cresswell, School Governor, Lyse Edwards, and Chair of Governors, Jane Mackenzie.
All teams presented their cases convincingly. Arguments in favour of abolishing the cap promoted the idea as a means to reduce child poverty and invest in young people. On the other hand, the opposing arguments considered the economic credibility of abolishing the cap amid wider economic turmoil.
The team from Johnson House, (Izzy Gould and Emmy Johnson) won the debate, with Seward coming in second place, Garrick in third and Darwin in fourth.
Izzy Gould (Johnson) and Amber Wheaver (Seward) were chosen as the ‘Most Valuable Debaters.’
Well done to all teams:
Seward: Amber Wheaver, Kate Young, Katie Richardson and Sophie Ragab
Garrick: Joshua Douglas-Boisson, William Turnock, Olivia Holyoak and Isabel Stone
Darwin: Chloe Fisher, James Killick-Tomlin and Henry Jones
Sam Sullivan, Assistant Headteacher, said, “Our Year 13s were able to argue convincingly and offer a wide range of ideas. It is inspiring to see the development of their debating skills over the years, and we now have some very powerful public speakers in our Sixth Form. I just hope the world is ready for them!”
