Pupils from Embsay Primary School were voted the winning team in the annual Schools’ Debating Competition, which was recently held at the Craven District Council Chambers in Belle Vue Mills, Skipton.

The topic the teams were asked to debate, this year, was whether homework was a waste of time.

Embsay pupils Lydia Carr and Luke Lovell spoke knowledgeably for and then against the motion, followed by a round of intense questioning from members of other local schools.

Lydia and Luke were supported by fellow Embsay pupils Joni Dixon, Reuben Newlands, Evie Steane, Sam Esner and Helena Lee, who had opportunities themselves, during the course of the debate, to question pupils from opposing teams.

The judging panel was made up of Councillors: Val Arnold, Bernard Bateman, Cliff Trotter, David Jeffels, and Robert Heseltine, with Skipton Mayor, Councillor Martin Emmerson also in attendance.

Parish Primary School’s debating team were presented with medals for second place. Awards were also made to the best girl and boy speaker, which went to Luke Lovell from Embsay Primary School and Scarlett Miller from Cononley Primary School.

Embsay School’s debating team will now represent the Craven area at the North Yorkshire Debate Finals at County Hall in Northallerton on Friday June 16.