The Mall Balloon Debate Returns
19th January 26
Every Spring Term, the school’s assembly series takes on a new guise: a balloon debate. The hot air balloon carries 8 influential people, either historical or current, where pupils learn and understand the importance of their legacy. Supported by Year 6, pupils from the school’s debate club help introduce a new figure each week, discussing the pros and cons of the individual’s lifetime work. Losing altitude, children from reception class upwards eventually vote to see who needs to leave the balloon to allow it to climb once again.
The skills the children acquire during the project are enormous – reasoning, listening, forming and argument, empathy, public speaking, historical and general knowledge, STEM, and democracy to name but a few. The list is endless.
Week 1 – Banksy
Following a surprise visit from his ‘spray snow cousin’ prior to Christmas, we have started this year’s debate with Banksy – discussing how art is perceived in the modern world, how social change can be encouraged through art, alongside the ethics of graffiti and vandalism.
When asked should Banksy remain in the balloon, a year 2 pupil’s response was: “No, because if he was on the ground, he would be able to create more art!”.
