I hope that these notes will be useful to any newcomers to this wonderful event.

We run the Mock Council process within our general studies programme.  Once you hear that you have been accepted, start preparing as soon as possible.  I divide our class in two (or use two classes) and set them one of the discussion topics each.  They prepare a list of general points and country specific points and we then discuss these as a whole group in class.  This demands that they do some independent research and engage in the class discussion

This gives a good idea of whom, amongst these lower sixth students is able to argue coherently and to give ground, where there is a need to do so.  So we are testing their abilities to research and master a brief, to debate and to compromise.

I then ask them to write an essay of 1000 words on the topics selected, incorporating the ideas from the discussion and anything else, which they have been able to discover independently.  I then select the best two pupils on the basis of their ability to argue a point and to write clearly.

Once these pupils have been selected, we pool all of the essays and the winners revise their written submissions in the light of their peers’ work.  We then send their essays to the embassy of choice in order to check that we are accurately representing that country’s point of view and in order that they can add some country specific details or statistics.

Before the day itself we agree three of four key points to be made or pursued during the debates and some red lines, which we feel should not be crossed.  If you are lucky enough to be invited to your country’s embassy, this can also be an opportunity to test your arguments.

I move between both debates so that I can gauge the tone of the arguments and we then review these during the lunch break.

After the debate, we review the topics and how the day ran and what conclusions were arrived at.  I also give an overview of the different European institutions and we publicise our participation in the event on our website and in the local press.  The two successful participants are also awarded a school prize for their additional work and participation.

The key is to prepare thoroughly, so that your pupils are in command of their brief and are able to react “in character”.

It improves their self-confidence, their self-awareness, their debating skills and their awareness of European institutions.

 

David Ceiriog-Hughes

Winchester College         20/10/2015