Atwood’s Big Debate for Key Stage Two #3

Results from the previous Big Debate #2-Are climate protests going too far?

At the time of writing 72.7% of respondents (people who contributed to the Poll) said that ‘Climate protests are going too far’.  A little over a quarter- 27.3%– said that active climate protests are acceptable.  Perhaps despite the importance of tackling climate change, this should be done not by direct action, but by democratic means, or at least this is what the children of Atwood think.

Big Debate #3: Should young athletes put sport first?

You can either have your say via the Google Form that has been placed on your Google Classroom page, or by accessing the Google Form using this link:Should young athletes put sport first?

What you need to know

• In September, Ethan Nwaneri, aged 15, became the youngest player in the Premier League, when he played for Arsenal.  In 2021, skateboarder Sky Brown won an Olymic medal aged just 13.
• Children as young as 6 can be picked to train as footballers- the same goes for sports such as gymnastics, swimming and tennis- but it can disrupt schooling.
• Some young athletes go on to be successful but most don’t- of 12,000 young footballers in training, fewer than 1% will become professionals.
• Failing to achieve a sporting dream can lead to anxiety and depression.

Read below to help you make your decision

YES

1. It’s and amazing opportunity to train in a sport that you love alongside other talented, passionate people.
2. If the UK is to compete on the world stage, it should support all athletes from a young age- it takes sacrifice and dedication to be the best.
3. Reaching the top of a sport and playing professionally for your team or your country would be very fulfilling and make you and your family very proud.

NO

1. It is too much pressure- the training is long and tough, and if they don’t keep improving, young atheletes can feel very inadequate.  They would miss out on their precious childhood.
2. Children should not be allowed to neglect their education- if they don’t succeed at sport, they need qualifications to get a good job.
3. Most will not become champions and failure can affect a young person’s mental health and be hard to get over. 

Go on, have your say, and I will reveal the results of the survey in our next Big Debate.

Mr Veale