Up for Debate

Up for Debate is a unique oracy programme for secondary schools

specially developed for state schools in England by PiXL Edge and the Noisy Classroom, we’re now in our second successful year.

Up for Debate is just part of the amazing offer to schools who are members of PiXL Edge, a framework for secondary schools and sixth form providers to develop attitudes, attributes and skills that students need for success in their careers, and in all areas of their lives. All staff at PiXL Edge schools can register free of charge for a login to access all the resources on this site.

A richly-resourced scheme of work with two thought-provoking and challenging motions, to introduce debate to all pupils at KS3. Features include:

  • videos of demonstration debates
  • special short films with our resident experts Professor Ivan O’Pinion and debate journalist Hugh de Syde
  • stimulus materials and handouts to support the two motions
  • unique writing frames and prompt sheets to help pupils and teachers master all aspects of debate.

Two comprehensive guides to developing the core aspects of a whole-school debate strategy:

  • Debating Across the Curriculum booklet with ideas on how to adapt our versatile debating format to History, Geography, Science, Art & Design, Music, Maths and PE
  • Debating Beyond the Classroom booklet to help you set up co-curricular programmes such as lunchtime or after-school clubs, community programmes, or to get involved in the UK-wide competitive debate community.

A national competition, fully integrated with the KS3 scheme of work, for Year 9s* involving:

  • Regional rounds across the country at the end of the spring term, and beginning of the summer term
  • Residential masterclass programme with world-beating debate experts for the best teams from each round
  • Prestigious national finals day in July, showcasing achievement of all pupils involved in the programme.

* The competition is geared towards Year 9 but accepts participation from Years 7 and 8.

Sign up!

If you’re a state school in England, interested in becoming a member of PiXL Edge, contact edge@pixl.org.uk.

If you’re not a PiXL school, and are interested in developing debate in your school, contact debbie@noisyclassroom.com.

Video

Videos are a central part of our resources, and the pedagogy of our scheme of work and whole-school oracy programme.

Created by our BAFTA-nominated digital director many of our pupil-oriented videos feature our hugely popular two characters ‘Professor Ivan O’Pinion’ and ‘Hugh de Syde’; check them out in this video from the second lesson of the KS3 scheme of work.

Video blocked in your school? Use our backup video
Video blocked in your school? Use our backup video

Speak & Listen

Our format is specially-designed for classroom use, with:

  • Two main speeches on both Proposition and Opposition
  • Core requirement to respond to the other side’s points through ‘rebuttal’ and ‘Points of Information’
  • Floor debate to involve the whole class in speaking, as well as active listening
  • Summary speeches teaching the skills of synthesis and analysis.

Watch the video of a debate on the motion “This House would lower the voting age to 12”, which is used in our KS3 scheme of work, to get a full idea of the format.

Books

Our three core books for teachers are:

  • the main Handbook and Scheme of Work
  • cross-curricular ideas for Debating Across the Curriculum
  • co-curricular programmes in Debating Beyond the Classroom

Take a look at some sample content from each of these books.

From the main Handbook and Scheme of Work:

SoW-preview-lite

Extracts from Debating Across the Curriculum and Debating Beyond the Classroom:

coxcurricular-preview

Sign up!

If you’re a state school in England, interested in becoming a member of PiXL Edge, contact edge@pixl.org.uk.

If you’re not a PiXL School, and are interested in developing debate in your school, contact debbie@noisyclassroom.com.