Posted on: Thursday 23 May 2024
Coed Eva & Blenheim
More than 100 primary school pupils have debated changing the school holidays.
Pupils from Coed Eva and Blenheim Road Federation, in Cwmbran, discussed whether the school summer holidays should remain at six weeks or be reduced to five.
They held the debate in the council’s Civic Centre chamber, in Pontypool, where councillors regularly debate issues about the borough.
Pupils prepared their arguments in advance and got the chance to share their views on Wednesday, as part of the schools’ curriculum, which aims to develop children’s critical thinking.
Tommy, Year 5, said: “It’s been very fun and exciting for me to participate in the debating with my friends.
“I think we should keep the six weeks the same, as the weather is always better in July than it is in October, and I couldn’t meet my friends to play if the weather was bad”.
Agnes, Year 5, said: “The whole experience has been very interesting. It’s allowed me to get a wider perspective on the topic whilst listening to other people’s views and sometimes I am persuaded to change my mind by other people’s arguments.”
Ceri Johnson, Year 5 teacher at Coed Eva, said: “It’s been amazing to fully immerse the children in the experience through local councillor visits, trips, and the work we are doing in school.
“The pupils have worked so hard throughout the process, so it’s great to see it come to fruition in the Chamber and the progress they’ve made is superb.”
Cllr Richard Clark, Executive Director for Children, Families and Education, said: “It’s great to hear about pupils using our chamber to debate issues that are of interest to them. The subject of school holidays is something the Welsh Government is already looking into, so it is a topical subject!
“I would like to extend the opportunity for all our schools to use or visit our chamber as a first step to understanding and hopefully taking an interest in democracy.”
This is one of the many initiatives used throughout Coed Eva and Blenheim Federation to ensure a wide variety of learning opportunities for their pupils and keep them engaged through participation on topics that are relevant to them.
This links to a wider initiative from Torfaen Council to keep all students in school as part of the Not In Miss Out Campaign.
If your school would like to use the council chamber, please email jessica,gabriel@torfaen.gov.uk.