ORA students at St Catharine’s have been learning how to form effective arguments this week with a trip to the law courts and a debate with Clare College.

Law Trip

This week, ORA students studying at St Catharine’s had an exciting excursion to the Royal Courts of Justice to gain a better understanding of the judicial system in England. The building itself was impressive to pupils, who marvelled at is gothic architecture and its intimidating size.

Once inside, students had the opportunity to look around the public areas and learn about how trials take place and the processes that occur within a courthouse. They even got to see the inside of a courtroom and hear all about juries, witnesses and judges. It was an exciting opportunity and pupils engaged fully with the experience.

Debate with Clare

Joining up with Clare College, pupils participated in a debating activity. The motion was ‘EU countries should not restrict the numbers of asylum seekers allowed to settle in the UK’.

With such a relevant and politically charged motion, the debate had no problem with speakers willing to get the arguments started. Some argued against the motion, suggesting that the strains on the economy and the living situation would damage EU countries, whilst others spoke of Human Rights and the devastation occurring across the world that inspires asylum seekers to leave home.

The riveting discussion got lots of students talking and proved to be a popular topic with significant support and opposition. It was definitely a thrilling debate to observe as the points went back and forth and arguments evolved to adapt to new information.

Though Session 4 is over, ORA students at St Catharine’s have made lifelong friends during their stay with us and we hope to see many return next year.