Young Debaters Impress at Inter-School Event at Ruthin School

 

Pupils from The Firs School took part in a highly successful inter-school debating event held at Ruthin School, demonstrating impressive confidence, teamwork and public speaking skills.

The day was led by Dr Julian Murphy at Ruthin School, who delivered debating masterclasses focused on research skills, building structured arguments and responding effectively to opposing views. Pupils debated a range of topical motions, including whether smartphones should be banned for under-16s, whether school should be voluntary and whether pets should be allowed in schools.

Working in teams of three, pupils from both schools took on a specific role, presenting arguments, challenging opposition points and delivering final summaries. After progressing through several competitive rounds, the final debate saw two Firs School teams compete against each other in front of parents, with the winning team narrowly emerging victorious.

All finalists received certificates, with additional prizes awarded to the winning team. One pupil from The Firs School was also recognised as Debater of the Day by Dr Murphy for an outstanding performance.

David Girvan, Headteacher of The Firs School said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to develop confidence, critical thinking and communication skills in a supportive but challenging environment. We are incredibly proud of how they represented the school and embraced the experience.”

The event was widely praised as an engaging and valuable learning experience, giving pupils the chance to put their debating skills into practice in a real-world setting.