A close and exciting Debating Semi-Final...

Richard Branson believes that the education system stifles creativity. This House believes he is wrong.

Wellesley won a closely contested Debating Semi-Final this morning against Priory. Both teams defined their arguments clearly on the motion ‘Richard Branson believes that the education system stifles creativity. The House believes that this is wrong.’ Wellelsey proposed and Priory opposed, with all debaters speaking with confidence and intelligence. The scoring proved very tight, with the only difference proving the teams’ ability to strategically adapt their argument in their conclusions. The scores were even on Style and Content with both teams scoring 17 and 12 points respectively. However, Wellesley scored 7 points for Strategy against Priory’s 6, to ensure that Wellesley won overall by 36 points to 35 points. Well done to Winnie, Alexina, both Amelias, Freya and Laila, and good luck to Wellesley for the Final.

Ian Wilmshurst - Headmaster

Energy, research and confidence were at the core of the House debates this morning. The winning team, Lyon, who opposed the motion, left their notes to one side. With passion and a sophisticated argument, they won the debate 43 points to 39 against New House. Lyon argued that within the constraints of the examination system, the education system demands pupils to use recycled and regurgitated material with formulas to construct essays and pass examinations. In comparison, they argued that pupils in Finland only have 3 examinations whilst at school and they are deemed to have the best education system in the world. Lyon dispelled New House's attempt to include extracurricular events in the debate, which clearly garners creativity - too specific to King’s they said. New House gave wonderful examples of da Vinci being an Italian polymath and yet also being extremely creative, and New also used the example of the importance of semantic memory, having experience which aids our knowledge. It was not enough to win the debate.

We look forward to the final between Lyon House and Wellesley House on Monday 7^th March.

Alison Grant - Deputy Head

Flickr album: Debating Semi-Finals - 7th February 2022 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin