Gifted & Talented

Debate Chamber tutors have extensive experience working with gifted students in all age groups and are committed to helping them achieve their potential.

Our methods

We believe that gifted students benefit most from an environment in which they are constantly encouraged to critically evaluate both their own ideas and those of others. That is why we place great emphasis on developing students analytic and conceptual skills through discussion and debate. In all Debate Chamber activities pupils engage in constant discussion – individually, in groups, or as a class; with their peers and with their tutors; through guided conversations, role-plays or even formal debates.This process is not only about learning to give reasoned arguments for your beliefs, but listening carefully to the opinions of others, and being able to put the case for beliefs which you may not share, which may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable to you.

Debate Chamber events include a range of activities, including simulations and role-plays, that help students develop high level skills not covered by the mainstream curriculum, and allow students to learn about difficult or unfamiliar topics in an accessible and participatory way. For example, in our Mock Trial course, students learn about the principles and theory of criminal justice along with basic elements of court procedure and advocacy skills, not by text-book learning but by performing the roles of lawyers themselves under the guidance of professionals.

By demystifying popular and competitive careers –from medicine and the law to journalism or even finance– Debate Chamber events help raise aspirations and ensure that able young students have the knowledge and confidence they will need to realise their potential regardless of their background.

Our tutors

Many of our tutors are Oxbridge postgraduate students or tutors – this means they are accustomed to a method of teaching which emphasises close verbal dialogue between teacher and student, relaxed and informal yet intellectually rigorous. At Debate Chamber we feel that all gifted students, especially at a younger age, can benefit hugely from such an approach.

Students must also learn to make their own way. Our tutors will always provide inquisitive students with recommendations for further reading and study, so they can pursue the ideas which interest them most in the directions they choose.

Supporting ongoing initiatives in schools

In addition to one-off workshops and activities, Debate Chamber is always willing to provide advice and support for schools looking to set up clubs or other continuing activities for gifted students within their schools, or in partnership with other local schools. For an example of this sort of project, see our recent work helping Southwark primary schools set up debate clubs for their gifted pupils.

For more information on Gifted and Talented education the website of the Young, Gifted and Talented Programme at the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which has an extensive directory of teaching resources as well as discussion forums.

If you would like further information, please feel free to email us at info@debatechamber.com