There was plenty of debate among mates as the University of Bedfordshire hosted a launch event for high schools in Luton.
The Debate Mate organisation is a national charity which is already working in the big cities of London, Liverpool and Manchester.
Now a partnership between the University, the Hertfordshire Law School, Luton Sixth Form College and Aimhigher Luton has seen the launch of the initiative aimed at Luton schools and colleges.
Young people from all the Luton high schools were invited along with their headteachers and lead debating staff to the launch at the Luton campus on a recent afternoon. It took place in the Lecture Theatre in the new Campus Centre on Thursday, 9 December.
Three students from both Stopsley and Ashcroft were involved in a live debate, This house believes that qualifications equal success.
Other schools at the launch were Putteridge, Lea Manor, Cardinal Newman, Challney Boys, Barnfield Academy South, Barnfield Academy West, The Studio School and Lealands.
A second live debate was performed by some of the mentors who work for the Debate Mate organisation. The mentors, a mixture of international and national debating champions from some of the most prestigious universities in the country, go out to schools to train the students to debate.
Roisin Fulton from Aimhigher Luton said: “Debating is a fantastic and creative tool to inspire verbal intelligence in young people.
“We’re delighted that Debate Mate is coming to Luton and we look forward to entering their national competitions, the final of which is held at the House of Lords.
“It is our hope that every one of the 12 high schools in Luton will be debating by Easter - debating subjects that inspire our young people to greater achievements and to have a better understanding of issues that affect us all.
“Debating is a fantastic vehicle for social mobility and should be available for everyone who wants to give it a try. Our thanks go to the University for allowing us to use its facilities for this launch event.”
Events in the New Year to enable and encourage schools to take part in mainstream debate include a staff training day on Saturday, 8 January, which is again being hosted by the University in its new Lecture Theatre (10am - 4pm).
Teaching staff are among those invited to be trained to set up and run debating clubs in their schools and colleges. For further details on the training, contact Roisin at Roisin.Fulton@luton.gov.uk
Then six Year Ten students in every high school across the town, who are nominated by the schools, will attend the Debate Mate debating club at Luton Sixth Form College every Thursday from 13 January (4.15pm - 5.30pm). This means that up to 72 students will attend the weekly sessions for up to eight weeks where five experienced and skilled mentors will teach them the art of debating.
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