GIRL: The kids at my cousin's school don't have to wear uniforms next term. I think that's cool!
BOY 1: I think that's a shame. Uniforms give pupils a sense of pride in their school and their appearance.
BOY 2: Uniforms are silly! You wouldn't catch me wearing a uniform!
BOY 1: But you are wearing a uniform. Your football strip is a uniform. Imagine what would happen if football players wore whatever they wanted. It would be total confusion. Even the players wouldn't know who to kick the ball to - chaos! And the fans wouldn't know who to support.
BOY 2: Oh. I see what you mean.
BOY 1: You've scored an own goal. One point for me!
BOY 2: But uniforms can be very expensive, and not everyone's parents can afford to buy a new one each term. And kids grow out of their uniforms too, and if you rip it, you'll be in trouble.
BOY 1: Mmm, I see what you mean. I never thought of that.
BOY 2: That's a point to me! 1-1. It's a draw!
BOY 1: Hold on. Even if you didn't have to wear a uniform, you'd still have to dress smartly.
GIRL: That's right. You can't go to school looking scruffy.
BOY 2: Why not? It isn't a crime.
GIRL: Isn't it?
JUDGE: You have been accused of going to school looking scruffy! How do you plead?
PRISONER: Guilty, Your Honour, but insane!
BOY 1: Yippee! That's another point to me. 2-1.
GIRL: How come pupils have to wear uniforms, but teachers don't?
BOY 2: That's right! It's not fair. It should be the same rules for everybody.
BOY 1: I don't agree. Imagine how silly the teachers would look if they wore uniforms because of the subjects they teach.
ALL, AS TEACHERS: Look! I'm a history teacher. I'm Napoleon!
I'm a science teacher. I'm an astronaut.
I'm a geography teacher. I'm an explorer!
ALL: This is silly! Teachers don't have to wear uniforms!
BOY 2: That's another point to me. Now it's 2-2.
GIRL: I think 2-2 is a fair result because there are two sides to every argument. Uniforms or no uniforms, the important thing is to look smart, not scruffy or silly.
BOY 1: I agree.
BOY 2: Hang on. I've changed my mind.
BOTH: What?
BOY 2: If I can keep THIS uniform, I'll wear it to school every day!
THEY LAUGH
Cartoon characters hold a debate on the playground, prompted by the current event of a local school discontinuing uniforms.
The students present arguments for and against requiring uniforms, including the implications for a football team with no uniform, the expense of replacing a uniform regularly when children grow quickly, and the need to look smart.
Each valid point is noted and recorded on the scoreboard to see which side can present the strongest argument.
This clip comes from the BBC series, Recount, Report, Instruction, Debate.
Teacher Notes
- Pick an issue to debate in class and decide on a statement such as 'wearing school uniform is a good idea'.
- Divide everyone into two groups, one to agree with your statement and one to disagree with it.
- Make a list of the reasons you might give depending on which position you're going to take, starting with the most persuasive ones.
Curriculum Notes
This clip is relevant for teaching English at KS1 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and at first level in Scotland.
More video clips on debating:
Judge Jenny - Goldilocks and the three bears. video
Goldilocks and the three bears try to persuade Judge Jenny to see the story from their point of view.
Judge Jenny - Jack and the beanstalk. video
Jack and the giant each make their cases for Judge Jenny to decide who was in the right.
