There was a great amount of debate taking place upstairs in Hawks this afternoon as the children discussed the pros and cons of living in the vicinity of a volcano.

The children have been learning all about volcanoes as part of their stone themed topic and today saw them using all the facts that they have discovered to use as part of a debate.

Miss Childs gave the children a series of statements about volcanoes which the children then discussed in groups to decide whether they agreed or disagreed with them. The children gave reasons for their decisions and then sorted themselves to show the general consensus for each statement.

Debating is a key skill which we are keen to encourage in school. Taking part in debates gives the children the opportunity to develop their speaking and listening skills as well as broadening their horizons when it comes to larger ethical questions.