Gwernyfed High School - Only Question Time Finalist in Wales

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 18th Apr 2008

Photo from left to right: Peter Florence; Dai Davies, Angharad Davies (BT); Mark Kerr (Chief Executive of Powys County Council); Hal Fraser (Head boy), Nick Butler; Vanessa Davies (head girl); Zandria Pauncefort; Richard Evans; Kirsty Williams AM; Bob Ledwidge; Lord Lipsey

Gwernyfed High School, Three Cocks, is the only School in Wales to make the final stage of the Schools Question Time Challenge for 2008. They are now amongst 12 schools which have the chance to produce a special Question Time programme on BBC One on 10th July 2008. The competition is supported by BT, the Institute for Citizenship and the BBC.

Gwernyfed won its place in the final by applying for a citizenship education pack and then writing a proposal for how they would stage their event; who they would have on their panel; and what topics would be discussed.

Each event will be visited and judged before 4 schools are selected as the winners. 2 students from each winning school will go forward to be part of a student production team which will work alongside the BBC team to produce the special Question Time show.

Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, was delighted to be asked to sit on the Gwernyfed's panel on 16th of April.

Kirsty said "This is a brilliant competition which is really trying to engage young people in local and national politics and current affairs. It offers a once in a lifetime chance to produce what is an institutional programme.

"I was very impressed by the standard of topics discussed and the questions asked - we had as good a grilling as can be seen in the Assembly Chamber.

"I wish the school, its teachers, pupils and organisers the best of luck and hope that their hard work takes them through to win the competition, as they so deserve."

Notes:

Gwernyfed's Judging Team: BBC - Bob Ledwidge; Institute for Citizenship - Zandria Pauncefort