Age group: Venturers/DFs

How long it will take: 30-45 minutes

What materials you will need: Two large sheets of paper and pen

The aim of the activity: To get young people thinking about the issue of commercial activities in schools/colleges

What to do:
Write up these two statements below on flip chart sheets and put them where everyone can see them. Which of the statements do people think is true and why?

This could be organised as an informal discussion or a formal debate. Venturers/DFs might even consider arranging a similar debate within their school/sixth-form/college.

There are lots of good articles listed in the 'more really useful links' list if you want to provide the group with source material to help them develop their arguements.
"Commercial sponsorship in schools is a good thing - it brings resources and skills which schools would not be able to afford otherwise." "Commercial sponsorship is the first step towards the privatisation of the whole education system. Standards of teaching would be lower and resources would be scarcer in those schools serving communities who could not afford to pay additional money on top of that which the government contributed."