How to Start a Debate Club in Primary School
Starting a debate club in a primary school offers a great opportunity to introduce students to important life skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, and teamwork. Debate encourages children to form opinions, articulate their thoughts clearly, and engage with different perspectives. It’s an activity that fosters confidence, creativity, and the ability to listen and respond respectfully.
When establishing a debate club for younger students, it’s essential to make the experience fun and accessible. Begin by introducing the concept of a debate — a friendly discussion where students present arguments on various topics, listen to opposing views, and develop their skills in reasoning and speaking. Start with simple and engaging topics that resonate with primary school children, such as “Should schools have longer holidays?” or “Is it better to read books or watch movies?” These discussions will help spark curiosity and give students the chance to express themselves.
To run a successful club, focus on creating a supportive and collaborative environment. Encourage teamwork by having students work together to research and present arguments for both sides of an issue. Keep the format flexible at first, allowing students to ease into debating with shorter speeches and informal discussions. As they become more comfortable, you can introduce more structured formats and gradually increase the complexity of the topics.
To help you set up and manage your club, our guide for primary schools offers practical advice on everything from organizing meetings to planning your first debates. The guide includes tips on how to keep students engaged and offers suggestions for fun debate-related activities.
Registered charity number: 273136