Burnley primary school wins debate as kids discuss vaping

Barden Primary School won the primary school stage of the competition, which included schools across the county.  

Barden Primary School spoke about vaping, in the competition which was held at Preston's County Hall this week. 

Balshaw's Church of England High School, in Leyland, were the secondary school winners. They debated crime and poverty.

Balshaw's Church of England High School pupils after winning a debate (Image: Lancashire Council)

Schools also discussed other important issues that affect the county, and how they could be resolved by 2050.

These topics included: littering, homelessness, the provision of SEN places, early years access to books, equal opportunities for school children, racism in schools, and air pollution.

Councillor Phillippa Williamson, Lancashire County Council leader, said: "It was a very successful first year hosting The Great Lancashire Debate. It was fascinating to hear from the brightest young minds in Lancashire.

"Listening to their ideas will have a long-lasting impact as we can use this important feedback to help shape future work on Lancashire 2050.

"We'd like to thank all of the schools who took part and spent their time preparing such well-researched viewpoints.

"We were so impressed with their debating skills and it made for a very hard decision to choose the two sets of winners. We are looking forward to hosting the competition again in the future."

Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for Education and Skills said: "Well done to all of the schools,  especially our winners and best individual speakers.

"The competition was fierce and they all put forward really thought-provoking arguments."

Full list of winners and finalists

Primary schools

Winner: Barden Primary School, Burnley

Finalists: Eldon Primary School, Preston (highly commended school); Edenfield Church of England Primary School, Edenfield, (highly commended school); Burscough Village Primary School, Burscough; St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Chorley, and Westhead Lathom St James' Church of England Primary School, Ormskirk.

Best individual speaker: Emily Ellerton, from Burscough Village Primary School.

Highly commended speakers: Maria Afzal at Barden Primary School and Penny Milne, Edenfield Church of England Primary School.

Secondary schools

Winner: Balshaw's Church of England High School, Leyland.

Finalists: Ashton Community Science College, Ashton-on-Ribble, (highly commended); Hope High School, Skelmersdale (highly commended); Ribblesdale School, Clitheroe; SS John Fisher and Thomas More Roman Catholic High School, Colne, and West Craven High School, Barnoldswick.

Best individual speaker: Leoni Harris, from Ribblesdale School.

Highly commended speakers: Patrick Barr, from SS John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School; and James Winter, from West Craven High School.