Since January, over 20 of our Year 12 students have been taking part in the Burnet News Club (BNC), an off shoot of the Economist newspaper’s Educational Foundation. This is the first time Elliott Hudson has offered BNC to its students and we are incredibly proud of how those students who have taken part have engaged with the subject matter and debates.

The BNC meet over Microsoft Teams and are given topics to research and debate questions to consider. They then form into smaller groups to carry out the research and prepare their arguments. The whole BNC then meet again to present their arguments and debate with each other.

The first topic covered the issue of Covid vaccines and whether they should be compulsory for all citizens as well as issues to do with supply and the morality and legality of wealthier countries “hoarding” supplies of the vaccines. There was also a debate on whether individuals spreading “fake news” on the vaccines over social media should face harsher punishments.

The second cycle had a much more political focus. The students were asked to decide what 3 issues the new Biden Administration in the USA should prioritise for their first 100 days in office. The students split into four groups for this and debated a wide range of issues from addressing the racial wealth gap and restoring faith in legislators and police following the BLM campaigns, to partisan divisions in the US, and global climate change.

The most recent issue for discussion was the arrangements for GCSE and A-Level assessments this summer, with Teacher Assessed Grades being used. The students had to consider whether this system could be fair, and whether it should even be used instead of more traditional exams on a more permanent basis.

Miss Johnson has been running the BNC with the topics and resources being provided by Mr Aitken from The Morley Academy. Miss Johnson said that “the BNC is a fantastic opportunity for students at EHC to develop their understanding of current affairs while practicing their research and debating skills, all whilst meeting new people and gaining valuable experiences that will look amazing on any UCAS or apprenticeship application form.”

Our students have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in BNC.

Molly Greenwood said, “The BNC sparked my interest as I enjoy looking into current affairs in the UK and the rest of the world, then forming my own opinion on the issues that have emerged in society that I then debate with others to learn more about the world around me and the society that I live in.  Therefore, the BNC was the perfect enrichment activity for me. My favourite debate topic so far has been examinations for 2021 as this is something that we were all affected by last year so have experienced the effects. I would most definitely recommend BNC to other students because as well as learning about the important matters in the society you live in, you also get to make new friends whilst collaborating to make the best debate possible.”

Oliwia Trzeciak said “I really enjoyed getting to speak to new people and seeing their views on important matters – especially that now we don’t get a lot of those opportunities. I’d definitely recommend BNC- it’s fun meeting new people and debating topics that are very relevant.”

Charlie Eddison said that the BNC “helps us become more politically fluent and tolerant of other’s beliefs and ideas.”

Elia Haj said “I would recommend BNC to other students because it is very interesting, funny, it gives you a chance to see the world/news/topics from different views and is a good way to have a talk with people of your age.”

Fredesty Akumeah said “the main reason why I joined the BNC was for the debating factor. But I also enjoy the researching, the group work and communication elements, because I consider them very valuable skills. I really enjoy teamwork, because there is a level of support and help which I think makes the whole process more enjoyable. I will highly recommend BNC because is a very positive but also challenging atmosphere. Also, the topics that have been discussed are very recent and interesting.”