Nimble Minds - Socratic Club Debating session - 12th June 2025

It was great to work with the Nimble Minds for another debating session. Following a vocabulary game, also involving reasoning skills, we turned to body language and persuasive language skills and how to tackle the different sides of a debate from proposition to opposition. We also took questions from the floor and examined each point in turn. It was super to see some very impressive active listening and rebuttal.

Our debating motions centred on current affairs and the world of education.

The first following World Ocean Day, explored whether ‘This House would ban plastic and replace such items with wood?’ From deforestation and the Amazon rainforest to the energy used to produce alternative items to plastic, and from sea plastic pollution to the example of turtles being harmed by the actions of humanity, the group tackled the topic with tremendous maturity and sensitivity.  

Our second set-piece debate, examined the motion ‘This House thinks English is more important than Mathematics’. From numeracy to language and communication we hugely enjoyed the contributions from both sides here.

In each debate we voted before and after (with the second tellings often revealing a different outcome to the first vote) and each student had the opportunity to present their argument or arguments. We also worked on performing centre stage and presenting to the entire group.

Very well done all for such enthusiastic and impressive argumentation throughout the session!