Elmhurst students showed Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer how it is done this week, taking their debating skills to the Houses of Parliament.
Ten children from across year five and six competed at Debate Mate's Cup Grand Final, which took place at the prestigious venue on June 27th.
Elmhurst was one of six teams competing, all of who had won their regional cups, making them among the very best squads in the country.
The children won their first debate, in which they argued against replacing SATs with work experience. They then narrowly lost their second debate, when they were speaking in favour of banning non-educational television for children. The team they lost to, Lordship Lane, from Haringey, then went on to win the whole competition, so the Elmhurst students could be proud that they have sparred with the very best.
The children were also awed during their tour of the Houses of Parliament and they even got to enter the Commons Chamber. During lunch, they enjoyed a surprise visit from Labour leader Keir Starmer, who briefly chatted to the pupils and gave them advice on debating: 'Look the person in the eye, smile, and then give your biggest and best argument'.
Even though the Elmhurst-ers were disappointed not to defend their cup title, which we won last year, they can be proud of how stylishly and passionately they debated and how incisive and effective their POIs were.
Our debating season is not yet over, as we still have the Debate Mate League National Final and the East London Cup still to come on the 14th and 15th July respectively.
