Maple Class have been learning about Sir Arthur Harris known as ‘Bomber’ Harris – one of the most controversial military commanders of World War II. They researched about him and then we split in half; those who would speak for his decision making and saturation bombing techniques and those who would speak against his decision making. The children were amazing, not just in the research that they did but in the manner that they conducted themselves and the formality in which they held the debate.
We agreed it was difficult, both at the start – those who were asked to speak in favour of his decision making were not keen to do this initially – but in discussing decisions made in circumstances we could not begin to imagine. The debate started very much against his decision making, but by the end vote those speaking in favour of his decision making had swayed a lot of people to their side.
