The First News Debate

Wednesday 26th March 2014, 10.30am – 4.30pm

PUPIL / SCHOOL ENTRY FORM

First News would like to invite ten subscribing schools to the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 26th Marchto join The First News Debate. The event will give school pupils the chance to put a panel of politicians on the spot with issues that matter to them. Each school can bring four pupils, who will all receive a tour around Parliament and take part in a democracy workshop run by the Parliament Education Team.They will then head to Speaker’s House for the debate itself, chaired by the House of Commons, Speaker, MP John Bercow.

To be in with a chance of winning one of the school places, you will need to come up with two questions that you would like to put to politicians. They can be about any area of interest to you, and that you think will be of interest to the other school pupils attending the event.It could be about the environment, energy, education, transport, jobs, education, politics, international relations, defence – it is completely up to you! We would also like you to tell us why your school should be one of the ten invited to participate.

Question One:
Question Two:
Why do you think your school should be invited to the First News Debate to quiz MPs?
(No more than 150 words)
School name:
School Address:
Teacher’s Name:
Teacher’s Job Title:
Teacher’s Email Address:
Subscription WebID:
This can be found on your envelope above your school address each week. Or call Customer Services on 0844 8560 634 to find out.

Closing date for entries is Monday 3rd March. Winning schools will be informed by Wednesday 5th March.

A set of questions from onesproposed by the winning schools will be chosen for the debate on 26th March. We will inform the attending schools of the questions in advance, so students can research topics and be ready to contribute their thoughts and opinions to the debate on the day.

Please email this form to with First News Debate in the heading, or post it to The First News Debate, Third Floor, Colechurch House, 1 London Bridge Walk, London SE1 2SX.

Please note that:

i) Schools are responsible for their own travel arrangements and costs. However subsidies are available from Parliament. More details can be found at

ii) As MPs and the Lords will be sitting on the day of the tour, there will not be full access to the chambers during the tour.