The Great Debates

The ESU is working with the London Transport Museum to hold a day of debating at London Transport Museum in Covent Garden on Friday 20 November.

Debate topics will focus on present and future challenges of urban living and will be especially relevant to students with a particular interest in geography, politics and issues around climate change.

The day will include an opportunity to visit the Museum galleries, including the new Suburbia exhibition. 

There are places for eight schools to take part with teams of students from years 8 & 9. Three students will speak in each of the three debates during the day but schools may bring up to five students and rotate the speakers as they wish. One topic will be pre-released to schools one week before the day and the others will be announced on the day and accompanied by information stimulus sheets.

Debates will take place in a parliamentary style based on the English-Speaking Union’s Discover Your Voice format. (The debates will consist of four 5 minute speeches, alternating proposition and opposition, followed by two 3 minute summary speeches. Points of information will be allowed during the four main speeches but not during the summaries.) More information about this format can be found here.  (www.discoveryourvoice.co.uk)

The day will consist of 3 debates on a staggered timetable with one slot during the day for students to explore the museum. The cost is £30 per school (allowing a maximum of 5 students and 2 staff).

Schools should arrive at 11.15am and finish at 3.30pm. A sandwich lunch will be served for all competitors.              

If you would like to attend this Great Urban Challenges Debate then please download the application form and return it by e-mail to jason_vit@esu.org . We have extended the deadline and applications should reach the ESU by Friday 6 November and successful schools will be notified that they have secured a place on Monday 9 November.