Votes for Schools is a debating programme that helps to develop students' cultural capital, tolerance, empathy, oracy and confidence.

As part of our Tutor programme, students will engage in the weekly Votes for Schools topic - this is linked to a current affairs question or dilemma. Students are given information, through a variety of modes and are set tasks centred around group discussions and are then asked to vote. Votes are submitted to the Votes for Schools website so we can see how our views compared to other schools nationally, at a later point. Once students have secured their own view on the topic for discussion, they are asked to write a 2-minute speech, presenting their ideas in front of their peers. Students practise the art of public speaking by sharing their speeches, allowing them to grow in confidence over time.