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School celebrates Challenge success
Tuesday May 13th 2008. Posted: 09:30
A Wales school will get the chance to create its own Question Time after finishing in the final four of a schools challenge.
Gwernyfed High School in Powys is now looking forward to going to London to meet Question Time host David Dimbleby. The school was one of 12 finalists in the Schools Question Time Challenge, where sixth-formers grilled distinguished panels of guests on issues ranging from the 2012 Olympics to binge drinking. The panellists in Wales were Dai Davies - president of NFU Cymru; Kirsty Williams - Liberal Democrat Assembly Member; Lord David Lipsey - Labour Peer; Mark Kerr - chief executive of Powys County Council; Peter Florence - founder of the Hay Festival; and Nick Butler - Director of the Cambridge Centre for Energy Studies. The chair for the event was Richard Evans of BBC Radio Wales. Gwernyfed High joins Holyhead School in Birmingham, Ringwood School, Bournemouth and The Tiffin Girls School, London in July to work on the Question Time programme from Westminster City Hall. Year 12 student Seren Berry said one of the most controversial subjects under discussion was school transport. School buses in Powys had been switched from local businesses to a French company and Mark Kerr defended the decision by explaining how much money had been saved and what it had been spent on instead. However, Dai Davies argued that more money had been lost from Powys than had been saved, due to the local companies being out of business, even though Welsh drivers were still employed by the new company. Badger culling was also controversial although all agreed it was necessary to prevent bovine TB in a rural community that mainly relied on agriculture. The panel was also agreed that reality shows such as Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice were teaching contestants and viewers things that would actually prevent them from being successful entrepreneurs. “They thought the shows promoted ruthless independence, rather than good social and team working skills,” she said. “The event was well attended and a great success. We have received lots of positive feedback from audience members and it is wonderful to get the chance to create a Question Time show with David Dimbleby for BBC 1,” said teacher Jeff Carter. “We are very grateful to BT for sponsoring the event and of course the excellent panel for their efforts in helping us with it.”
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Last updated:
10:55
