BOHUNT SIXTH FORM WELCOMES DAMIAN HINDS MP FOR QUESTION TIME EVENT

BOHUNT SIXTH FORM WELCOMED EAST HAMPSHIRE MP AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION DAMIAN HINDS TO A HIGH-LEVEL ‘QUESTION TIME’-STYLE PANEL DISCUSSION, WHICH GAVE OVER 100 SIXTH FORM STUDENTS 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, in conjunction with Bedales School as part of BET’s and Bedales’ ongoing education collaboration. The afternoon was attended by over 120 Politics, Economics and History sixth form students from Bohunt, Bedales and Churcher’s College in Petersfield.

Mr Hinds spent the day with Bohunt students, teachers and senior leadership, and later participated in the panel discussion, which invited students from all three schools to ask questions on issues and topics of interest. Mr 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, from education and Brexit, through to policies affecting the local area. The students’ questions were well received by Mr Hinds and the discussion raised interesting and insightful points for the panel to address. The event is the first in what has been agreed by the Secretary of State for Education to be an annual occurrence.

Damian Hinds, East Hampshire MP, said:

“It was wonderful to meet so many enthusiastic and engaged young people, and to see students taking a real interest in education more broadly. The excellent contributions 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.”

Neil Strowger, Chief Executive of Bohunt Education Trust, said:

“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 visit Bohunt and look forward to welcoming all our guests today back in the near future.”