STUDENTS have been honing their debating skills at an after-school club.

Pupils at New Rickstones Academy, in Conrad Road, have joined a new debate club where they get to put their points across on a wide range of issues.

The weekly sessions are giving students from all year groups the opportunity to state their cases while improving their ability to see both sides of an argument.

Librarian Sam Weatherley, who hosts the club every Tuesday after school, said the skill of debating will prepare students for their exams where they are expected to give balanced answers.

She said: "Within reason, students are able to debate whatever they choose. At the end of each session, they decide a topic for the following week to enable them to prepare their arguments.

"The Hillary versus Trump debate has been the most popular so far with students coming along having done their research, armed with facts and figures and so much knowledge.

"The arguments have been so strong that, in some cases, students have changed their opinions by the end or at least accepted there may be some strength in the other side’s view.

"It is really nice to see students coming out of their shell, gaining confidence along the way. Some really quiet students are finding their voices at debating club, even against much older students.

"We are also seeing students who might not normally come into the library in their spare time wanting to spend time in here. As they start to feel more comfortable in the library, they are more inclined to enjoy reading for pleasure. It’s really exciting to see."

Other subjects up for debate so far are school uniform, trick or treating and the UK sending aid abroad.

Subject classes such as science have also been including elements of debate in their lessons.