Debating for children in their last few years at Primary School is a relatively new phenomenon in Britain, but the ESU’s work with Key Stage 2 students in London and around England has proved that it is an ideal time to start pupils off using formal structures for the expression and exchange of ideas.

The primary curriculum contains plenty of starting points for debates in the classroom, and the ESU can offer printed and audio-visual materials, and training, to support teachers wanting to use debate in school, though our teaching programme Discover Your Voice.

There is also a growing number of opportunities for Primary Schools to compete in local inter-school ‘friendly’ debates, broadening the scope of interaction with and within children’s communities and preparing them to be active citizens. Some local authorities, such as Islington and Tower Hamlets in London, run borough competitions for schools in their area. In many parts of the country members of the sixth form debating societies of nearby Secondary schools visit local Primaries regularly to help coach children, judge debates and provide role models for speaking styles. For more information, or to see if there is any such activity in your area, contact our Schools Officer, Michael Edwards.

Pupils from Tower Hamlets Primaries debating “This House would sell the crown jewels” in the Tower of London in 2003. Judy Grylls, Headteacher of Osmani Primary School, said of the event:

“It has given the pupils confidence to speak in front of different audiences. They are able to think clearly and thoughtfully on any given topic. Fantastic!”