Two of Ark’s schools are celebrating making it to the regional finals of a prestigious debating competition after tackling difficult questions about the role of sports people in society and IVF treatment.
Ark Burlington Danes Academy and Globe Academy will now face off against some of the best schools debating teams in London after impressing judges with their rhetorical flair and keen teamwork.
The debates, organised by Debating Matters and supported by the Wellcome Trust, saw teams question the ethics of three-parent IVF and whether Britain should remain a member of the EU.
Both school teams debated against six other schools in the Ark network and judges including the Open University’s Dr Julia Perlman and former teacher and Cambridge PhD student Alka Sehgal-Cuthbert praised the teams’ knowledge and passion for debating.
Kevin, a sixth form student at Globe Academy, said: “Debating allowed me to look at viewpoints and perspectives I never would have considered.”
Walworth Academy student Eman said: “I have really enjoyed being challenged by likeminded people with opposing views. It taught me to think in other people’s shoes.”
Hebba, a Burlington Danes Academy debater said: “ was an amazing evening and I’m sure we would all highly recommend participating in such competitions, because you meet new people and learn quite a lot.
“You are also given a rare opportunity to voice your opinions on topics we as people may not necessarily typically think about.”