Forest Gate primary school pupils enjoy Mayfair debate challenge

A pair of young debaters have argued that parents should be punished for the crimes of their children.

Chloe Kempton and Zachary El Darsh from Godwin Junior School in Forest Gate competed at the five star Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair as part of a fundraising debating tournament.

Chloe, 10, said: “Before I started debating I didn’t know how to react if people disagreed with my view. Now I can make my point and explain why I think it is right.”

Run by the education organisation, Debate Mate, Chloe and Zachary argued that because parents develop their children’s moral codes they are responsible if their child breaks the law.

Their opponents argued that influences such as social media made it harder for parents.

Zachary, also 10, said: “Debate mate helped me link my ideas so I can explain them more fully.”

Proud headteacher, Sine Brown, said: “Nurturing confident, articulate individuals is part of our ethos. Participating in events such as this is the perfect way for our pupils to practice these skills and in an amazing setting too.”