A PANEL were put through their paces by Hitchin pupils last week, at a Question Time style debate organised by the school.

MP Peter Lilley, head of admissions at University of Bedfordshire Susie King and Reverend Dr Jane Mainwaring were among those on the panel answering questions from the Hitchin Girls’ School students.

Keiran Murphy from Hitchin Churches Schools Worker Trust PHASE and Adrian Bagg, chief of Papworth Trust, completed the panel. Two sixth form pupils Robyn Wootton and Sasha Gatselyuk also sat on the board.

Director of sixth form Sam Strickland said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for students to really engage with political issues in a relevant, interesting and inspiring way.”

Each panellist offered responses to six pre-prepared questions on a variety of topics put forward by students, in the first debate of its kind at the school.

Topics up for discussion included university tuition fees, voluntary euthanasia, spending cuts and tax rises.

MP Peter Lilley said after the debate: “I was pleased to see that the girls at Hitchin Girls’ School were so involved in the debate.

“It demonstrated their interest in the democratic process and the controversial moral and political issues of today.

“It was a stimulating event and I was glad to be the opportunity to participate.”