LST Primary Academies Come Together for a Debating Day at the Council Chambers

On Tuesday, July 2nd, the Council Chambers in Newcastle Civic Centre buzzed with excitement as LST Primary Academies came together for a day of debate.

This enriching event, generously funded by the Laidlaw Foundation as part of the Laidlaw X initiative, saw Year 6 pupils from Atkinson Road, Thomas Walling, Excelsior, Westgate Hill, Academy 360, South Hylton, and Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academies participating.

Lisa Macaulay, Headteacher from Atkinson Road, shared her insights on the event:

"The objective of the day was  to develop oracy skills, in line with the Voice 21 program, to enable the children to present coherent arguments, make   well-reasoned points, take turns, and think outside the box."

The event commenced with two warm-up questions to introduce the students to rules for debating. Pupils had worked in their school teams to think through their opinions on the topics to be discussed. Teams for and against various topics presented their points to the room, followed by an audience vote on which team made the most compelling argument.

Debate topics included whether age restrictions should be applied to social media and if the school week should be reduced to four days. The pupils excelled in producing counter-arguments with confidence and depth well beyond their years.

The debate on social media age restrictions was particularly poignant, touching on sensitive subjects such as mental health. Students argued the pros of being in touch with friends and the confidence that can come from discussing emotions online, against the cons of online bullying and unrealistic body image expectations.

Another debate revolved around the idea of a four-day school week. Students showed remarkable empathy, raising concerns that some parents or carers might struggle to afford food for that fifth day, and highlighting how being in school ensures every child gets to eat. Innovative ideas were also discussed, such as how a four-day work-week could potentially allow parents to work full-time positions.

The day was a testament to the incredible educators who dedicated extra time to help the students prepare, and to the students themselves for their bravery and excellence in this new setting. Special thanks go to Lisa Macaulay for leading the organisation of this extraordinary event, and to Tom MacDermid, Year 6 Teacher at Atkinson Road, for chairing it.