Debate Mate

Siddal Moor students at the Debate Mate Cup 2015

Siddal Moor students were part of a gathering of 4,600 students from all over England who were participating for their region in the Debate Mate Cup 2015.

Overall the 2 teams entered by Siddal Moor won 3 and lost 3 with ‘Siddal Moor A’ winning 2 and losing out in 1 and ‘Siddal Moor B’ winning 1 and losing out in 2.

The teams had to prepare for 2 blind debates each, with only 10 minutes notice of the motion.

The topics for the motions were very wide ranging and gave the pupils a lot to think about from eco-terrorism to making benefit claimants work and from banning non-essential cosmetic surgery to a ban on advertisements aimed at children.

This was dumbed down a little in a show debate, ’We would ban all Superheroes’ which the crowd thoroughly enjoyed.

The organisers created a music festival atmosphere which made the day lots of fun, it was really well organised and enjoyed by all attendees.

Mr Barcroft from Siddal Moor said “The students put in the effort on the day and the way in which they represented the school was excellent.”

Mr Barcroft and the students said: “It could not have been as good as it was without the invaluable support of Teaching Assistant Mrs Alison Dalby.”