We were absolutely thrilled to open our doors on Friday, 27th March, to host a live broadcast of the iconic BBC Radio 4 program, Any Questions?. It was a proud moment for our school community to put Ponteland in the national spotlight as the show traveled to our corner of the UK.
A Night of Lively Debate
The evening was expertly guided by presenter Alex Forsyth, who chaired a panel of prominent voices from across the political spectrum:
- Darren Grimes – Reform UK Board member & Deputy Leader of Durham Council
- Rachel Millward – Deputy Leader of the Green Party
- Baroness Stowell – Conservative Peer
- Anna Turley MP – Labour Party Chair and Cabinet Office Minister
Tackling the Big Issues
In keeping with the aims of the programme, as our local audience challenged the panel with a variety of pressing questions. The discussion was wide-ranging and thought-provoking, covering:
- The future of junior doctor pay and working conditions.
- The complex debate surrounding children’s access to social media.
- The global political impact of Donald Trump.
- Individual panelist perspectives on current affairs.
A Success for Our Community
The evening wasn’t just about the broadcast; it was a wonderful gathering of the local community. After the “On Air” light went off, we were delighted to host the panelists for a more informal chat. They were incredibly complimentary about the warm reception from the audience and the high standard of our school facilities.
A huge thank you to the BBC and everyone who attended for making it such a memorable night for Ponteland High!
Missed it? You can catch up on the episode and hear our audience in action via the BBC Sounds app or website.
