Intro To The School

Last Spring term, our project officer, Vivian, had the pleasure of visiting The Derby High School to delve into their Big Debate Club session. While she had initially planned to meet with Emma Booth, a correspondence led her to Clare, who graciously covered for Emma. Clare, who occasionally oversees Big Debate Club activities, provided valuable insights into the club's dynamics.

The Derby High School, a bustling secondary institution, hosts its debate club open to students from all years during lunchtime, from 12:30 PM to 1 PM, with 12 students in attendance during the debate, including only one girl — this highlights her boldness amidst the group.

Inside The Derby High School's Big Debate Club

Useful Tip #1: Promote Balanced Participation

Clare efficiently facilitated the session, following a structured approach. While a teacher-led approach can effectively steer discussions, consider incorporating more opportunities for student-driven dialogue. Encourage students to take ownership of the debate by assigning roles such as discussion moderators or group leaders, empowering them to guide the conversation and ensuring equitable participation among all attendees. Clare's adeptness in guiding the discussions and selecting participants ensured a smooth flow of dialogue throughout the session.

Useful Tip #2: Encourage Diverse Perspectives

Embrace diversity within debate clubs by actively encouraging students from various backgrounds and year groups to participate. Implement strategies such as rotating discussion topics to encompass a wide range of interests and viewpoints, fostering inclusivity and broadening students' understanding of different perspectives. As the discussion progressed, Clare organised the students into smaller groups of four, allowing each group to share their perspectives within the allotted three-minute timeframe. A class vote concluded the session, where students expressed their opinions by standing up or sitting down—a simple yet effective way to gauge consensus.

Observations and Reflections

During Vivian’s conversation with Clare, she expressed her enthusiasm for Big Debate Club, describing it as an easy-to-use platform. When asked about potential improvements, Clare seemed content with the current setup, attributing her satisfaction to her occasional role in leading the sessions. 

Closing Thoughts

Overall, Vivian’s visit to The Derby High School left a positive impression. The students exhibited friendliness and politeness, coupled with a remarkable eagerness to share their perspectives—a testament to the inclusive environment fostered by the school. They were also able to present their views on the debate, “Should homework be banned?”.

Huge thanks to The Derby High School for the warm welcome and insightful engagement during Vivian’s visit. It was truly inspiring to witness the enthusiasm and passion of both students and teachers towards fostering debate and critical thinking skills. Thank you for the opportunity to learn from your dynamic debate club environment.

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