BBC journalist and broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire is to appear at a special event at the University of Winchester focusing on current issues in education.
The Newsnight presenter will chair a Question Time-style debate with a panel of experts on the 29 April at the University’s Stripe Auditorium.
Victoria said her decision to be involved was driven by her own interest in current issues and challenges in different education sectors.
“I am honoured to be invited by the University of Winchester to chair Education Question Time,” she said. “This is such an important period of policy changes in education, and I am keen to support our invited audience and panel to discuss and debate a range of key questions at this exciting event.’
The discussion will take place before an invited audience of 300 from within the University and beyond, which will include young people currently studying at the University’s partner colleges and schools in the region.
Issues like to come up for discussion include: VAT on private schools, Early Years funding, funding for Special Educational Needs (SEN), immigration and placement in schools for refugee children, pupils’ mental health, the relevance of the curriculum, technology in education, schools safety and security, inclusion and diversity, the future of academy trusts, and the importance of arts and creativity in education.
Invited audience members can submit their questions to the panel online prior to the event, which also be livestreamed to a wider audience.
As well as being an important forum for discussion and a major event for the city, Education Question Time will be a valuable real-world learning experience for students from across the Faculty of Education and the Arts and the wider University.
University students have key roles in running the event as members of the organising committee and hosts on the night.
Education students are helping to shape the key themes for debate by the panel and audience and liaising with the University’s Conferencing team, Media and Communications students are marketing the event via social media and designing publicity flyers, Film Production students are filming the debate for livestreaming and Journalism students will be reporting on the event as part of their studies.
One Education student, Genyrra Pieterse, has a particularly important role to play – she will be part of the panel. Mature student and mother-of-two Genyrra is a third-year undergraduate specialising in education inclusion, ethics, and diversity.
The rest of the panel will be made up of:
Megan Greenwood, Schools and Programme Manager at City of Sanctuary
Bill Lucas, Professor of Learning and Director of the Centre for Real-World Learning at the University of Winchester and co-creator of the Expansive Education Network
Luke Murphy, Labour MP for Basingstoke.
Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching
Elizabeth Stone, Headmaster of Winchester College
Dr Viki Veale, Senior Lecturer at the University of St Mary’s and charity campaigner for early years education through Together And Committed To Young Children
Nicola Wells, CEO of the University of Winchester Academy Trust, made up of seven local primary schools.
The University works with more than 430 schools and colleges across 12 local authorities and trains 700 students annually to work in primary and secondary schools. Last year Ofsted rated primary and secondary teacher training at the University of Winchester 'Outstanding' across the board.
Dr Cathy Gower, Dean of the Faculty of Education and the Arts, said: "The University of Winchester has a proud tradition of transforming lives through education. Our graduates go on to make a real difference in their communities, shaping the future and improving life chances for others.
“Education Question Time is a wonderful opportunity to bring together our exceptional students, accomplished alumni, and a panel of leading experts who influence policy, teach, lead, and research in education. With an engaged public audience, this promises to be a thought-provoking evening of discussion on the most pressing issues in education today.
“Our incredible students are at the heart of its organisation, and I am honoured to work alongside such a dedicated and talented team. And with the esteemed journalist and broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire as our host, this promises to be an unforgettable evening."
Tickets for the event are available on the booking page here where there are also details on how ask a question.
The evening starts with a drinks reception at 5pm in the Stripe reception area before Education Question Time starts at 6pm. It will run to 8pm.
Parking will be available close by in the Dytche car park but guests are encouraged to use public transport if possible.
Audience members will be able to donate to Blue Apple Theatre, artists in residence at the University. Founded in 2005 by Jane and Tommy Jessop, Blue Apple supports learning disabled performers to develop and present high quality productions across the region.
Donations can be made via the Eventbrite ticket application or on the night via a QR code.
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