SIXTH form students from a Cwmbran school grilled a five-person panel on issues relating to Torfaen as part of a nationwide museum event in Pontypool.

Pontypool Museum hosted a ‘question time’ event, which mirrored the popular BBC debate show last Thursday at part of Kids Take Over Day 2015.

An audience of politics and sociology students from Croesyceiliog School’s sixth form posed questions on the topic of ‘how can we tackle poverty through culture?’

The guest panel was chaired by G. Ivor Davies MBE and included Labour peer Baroness Kay Andrews OBE, cllr Lewis Jones and members from Torfaen community groups and the Association of Independent Museums.

“It was a fantastic event. We dealt with some very tough issues and they were very straight and thoughtful on each of the matters,” said Baroness Andrews on the participants.

“They were hugely engaged as they are not just a part of the future but they are absolutely a part of the present. Their voices need to be heard.”

The panel dealt with questions on culture, transport, education, community schemes and unemployed households, all with a focus on Torfaen.

“This event helped me understand what the local council and Pontypool Museum is doing to help combat these challenges. It was thoroughly inspiring,” she added.

The event was mutually beneficial to the students from Croesyceiliog School, who believe this style of experience could help other students.

“I would recommend this type of event to other schools, especially for their students who have an interest in politics,” said Cameron Elliott, 17, deputy head boy at Croesyceiliog.

“It would have to be targeted towards the older students, like years 10-13 though but the panel were very approachable and not how I would have imagined them.”

To find out more about Kids Take Over Day, visit kidsinmuseums.org.uk/takingoverday.