More than 300 London and Surrey pupils travelled up to 20 miles to debate about the First World War at a Tooting secondary school.

A ‘Question Time’ format was used for last night’s event (November 1) at Graveney School, in Welham Road, and was chaired by Newsnight presenter Mark Urban.

Panellists included public engagement manager at Imperial War Museums Charlotte Czyzyk, professor of French cultural history at the University of Leeds Alison Fell, and writer for BBC Radio Four’s ‘Making History’ and ‘Woman’s Hour’ Dr Naomi Paxton.

St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College, in Malwood Road, Clapham Common, also attended.

Year 12 Graveney School student Aslan Warburton said: “Hearing the views of well-respected experts and seeing artefacts and uniforms from the war really helped bring what we’ve been learning about to life.

“I knew that the First World War was a defining moment in history but I’d never fully appreciated the way it continues to shape our lives today.

“It’s made me want to find out more about the war and its impact on our society.”

Hundreds of pupils from across the United Kingdom have participated in the debate series hosted by the Department for Education (DfE), with schools in Manchester, Brighton, Bristol and Cambridge among those visited.

The event is now in its second year, open to all state schools, and aims to increase engagement with the First World War as a subject and understand its place in today’s society.

Students were told of how the war influenced a range of areas including women’s rights and role in society, as well as housing – with the Homes Fit for Heores election of 1918 – and medicine.

Patrick McCrudden, a Graveney history teacher, said: “Tonight has been quite emotional. It has been wonderful to see hundreds of young people so engaged with a debate on the First World War and to hear that the event has had a lasting impact on their desire to learn more about this important moment in our history.”

Mr Urban added: “It was fantastic to see how involved all the students got in tonight’s debate. The energy and fresh perspectives they brought to the evening were inspiring and show just how much they have to contribute to this important on-going debate.”

The event was the first of six being held this and next year by the DfE.