Bedales and Bohunt come together for 'Question Time' style event with Damian Hinds MP
Damian Hinds, East Hampshire MP and Secretary of State for Education, participated in a high-level ‘Question Time’-style panel discussion on 1 February 2019, which gave over 100 sixth form students from the local area the opportunity to engage on topics involving education and their local area.
The Education in an Uncertain World panel discussion was based on the popular ‘Question Time’ format. It was hosted by Bohunt Sixth Form, which is part of Bohunt Education Trust (BET), in conjunction with Bedales School as part of an ongoing education collaboration. The afternoon was attended by over 120 Politics, Economics and History sixth form students from Bedales, Bohunt and Churcher’s College.
In the panel discussion, students from all three schools were invited to ask questions on issues and topics of interest; Damian Hinds was joined by panellists Neil Strowger, Headteacher of Bohunt School and Chief Executive of BET, Magnus Bashaarat, Head of Bedales School, and journalist Victoria Lambert (panel chair), as well as two students – one from Bohunt Sixth Form and one from Bedales.
Following the Question Time setup, students asked the panel a number of questions, varying from education and Brexit, through to policies affecting the local area. The students’ questions were well received by Damian Hinds and the discussion raised a number of interesting and insightful points for the panel to address and share their views on.
The unique event was the latest in a series of co-operative activities and workshops held between Bedales and BET, which has formed a close partnership to share best practice, resources, CPD opportunities and student collaborations across their networks.
Damian Hinds, East Hampshire MP, said:
“It was wonderful to meet so many enthusiastic and engaged young people at today’s event, and to see students taking a real interest in education more broadly. The excellent contributions made by students demonstrated an impressive level of knowledge, passion and understanding for current affairs and events in the local area. I have very much enjoyed today and would like to thank everyone involved for an extremely enjoyable afternoon with so many bright young individuals.”
Magnus Bashaarat, Head of Bedales Schools, said:
“Our partnership with Bohunt is creating some excellent collaborative learning opportunities such as this panel event with sixth form students. Engaging with today’s pressing political issues, especially by young people, is key to solving them. I was encouraged by the level of debate from the students on the wide range of local, national and international issues discussed, which gives me hope at a time when many people in positions of authority are taking a more introverted stance. Student voice has always been a significant feature at Bedales and a source of fresh perspectives and insights.”
Neil Strowger, Chief Executive of Bohunt Education Trust, said:
“At Bohunt, we aim to provide students with unrivalled opportunities to participate in immersive learning. This event has provided students with invaluable involvement in ‘real life’ political discussion, and has been an excellent platform for our students to engage with peers from other schools and broaden their educational experience. We were delighted to have Damian Hinds MP visit Bohunt School and Sixth Form and look forward to welcoming all our guests today back to Bohunt in the near future.”
Education chief in hot seat | Damian Hinds MP | Victoria Lambert | Magnus Bashaarat | Bedales | Bohunt Education Trust