Major BBC discussion show broadcast from the academy
The BBC’s flagship political debate programme Question Time was broadcast live from Co-op Academy Manchester to iPlayer on Thursday 29 September, and broadcast a few hours later on BBC1. The show, presented by Fiona Bruce, welcomed an audience of local people asking big questions on current affairs to a panel of politicians and journalists.
The Academy Theatre was the venue for this show, which often visits town halls, schools and other public buildings around the country.
Our Year 11 Media students got to view the set and recording set-up, and even practice with the cameras and boom mics in a hands-on exploration of professional TV production. Floor Manager Evan Beaton and his team was generous with their time in showing how the TV programme is made.
In addition, two Year 11 Sociology students who are interested in politics helped the production team gather questions from the audience, and welcomed the panellists. The guests included Minister for Local Government Paul Scully MP; Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP; Executive Editor of The Economist and presenter of The Economists Asks podcast Anne McElvoy; Chairman of Cobra Beer and Vice-President of the CBI Lord Karan Bilimoria; and TV presenter and producer Richard Bacon.
The debate focussed on the big economic issues currently in the news but they also had the chance to discuss the topic of which city will host the next Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine.
The panellists were impressed by our students and by our facilities and we were proud to show these influential people our commitment to offering the young people of north Manchester the very best.
