Sixth form hosts iconic BBC Radio 4 show

One Sixth Form College hosted one of the longest running radio debate shows called ‘Any Questions?’ in Ipswich this week.

The show was first broadcast in 1948 and is celebrating its 75^th anniversary this year.

The panel included two MPs (Anneliese Dodds and Victoria Atkins) an ex Australian Minister (Alexander Downer) and the government’s former chief scientific advisor, Sir David King.

The host Alex Forsyth took questions from the audience who brought up topics based around knife crime, climate change, immigration and misogyny.

Around 200 guests including staff and students from One Sixth Form College were in attendance.

A level student from One, Oliver Hard, 17, from Felixstowe came along. Oliver said: “I think it was exceptional – entertaining and political and a great variety of important topics were discussed. It has made me want to get into politics even more. I think I can make a difference.”

Sophie Cavanah, 17, from Ipswich is also studying A levels. Sophie said: “It was very insightful. People seem much more united on their views than I thought.”

Another One Sixth Form College student was Anna Cook, 17, from Swilland. Anna said: “It went really well. It was interesting to see people debating. I want to get into political journalism even more now. My one surprise was that I was expecting the crowd to be more split.”

Amber Gowers, 16, from Bucklesham is also studying at One. Anber said: “It was nice to be part of something this big. This evening has made me want to take more of an interest in what I would like to see our country doing.”

Rob Pollard is the head of English at One Sixth Form and he was given the chance to ask the first question of the show (that was about knife crime). Rob said: ‘This evening was a fantastic experience for our students to experience this level of debate live and we’re pleased so many were able to attend. I was quite surprised (to be able to read my question out). It was a spur of the moment decision to ask a question on this topic, but it is an issue which has sadly affected the community in Ipswich.”

In terms of the show itself, Rob added: “I thought the event was great .We had in the region of 25 students who were part of the audience - some who have recently joined the debate team - so it was a great experience for them.”

Staff from the sixth form worked with the BBC to help set up the production on the day including Anthony Dee who gave a short welcoming speech before the show aired. To listen to the show you can listen again via iPlayer using this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001qtpz