A GROUP of politics students from St Ninian's High School have made it to the finals of a BBC Question Time competition.

The school is one of 15 across the British Isles that is planning its own version of the political debate show, complete with chairman, studio guests and a live audience.

If St Ninian's is one of the four winners to be announced this spring, students will get the opportunity to work behind the scenes of the real programme in July.

Politics teacher Liam Core said: "We decided to get involved as the politics students all watch Question Time and decided it would be something fun and worthwhile to do.

"One of the main problems with politics today is that people feel excluded. We thought this would be an excellent opportunity to try to get people more people actively involved in public affairs."

The team had to submit a written entry detailing how they would make a Question Time programme including a proposed panel, issues that could be discussed and how the show format could be improved.

The school was selected as one of 45 regional finalists and was then asked to stage a mini Question Time debate which was filmed.

A-level politics students Daniel Quinn 18, Caitlin Shimmin, 18, Chris Cave, 18, and Serena Luff, 17, debated the relationship between the UK and the Isle of Man and whether it should be changed.

Liam continued: "Our video entry was deemed to be one of the best and we are now in the national finals.

"15 schools from across the British Isles will be producing their own full-length versions of the TV programme. 23 St Ninian's students are involved and they have selected a venue, Douglas Youth Arts Centre in Kensington Road, and are putting together a panel and attracting an audience for the event on Thursday, March 31, with doors opening at 6.30pm."

Judges from the BBC will attend the event.

Liam continued: "I am very proud of the students for the hard work they have put into the project so far. They have got this far by dedication, creativity and ability. Having seen what they have produced so far I have no doubt that the final event will be an overall success and will spark debate across the Island."

Daniel Quinn said: "Planning the March 31 event has allowed students of different ages and with different skills to come together and work well as a team. The experience gained from this event will benefit us all. It will provide an excellent opportunity for us to see a wide range of opinions regarding a mixture of local and international matters."

Two students from each of the four winning schools will work with the Question Time production team, witnessing the making of key editorial suggestions, helping with aspects of the production and coming up with ideas for marketing the programme and publicising it via digital media.

Members of the public can apply for tickets for the Question Time event via the St Ninian's High School website at www.sch.im/snhs.