MORE than 90 students from across Oxfordshire met up to put the world to rights.

The sixth-formers – who came from nine schools from across the county and one from Cheltenham – gathered for a model United Nations general assembly.

Pupils had to take on the role of different countries around the world and then fight their corner over the debating table.

They discussed major issues, from the global refugee crisis to the future of war-torn Syria.

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The event was hosted by Oxford High School in Belbroughton Road, North Oxford and pupils dressed in costumes including military-style uniforms.

Organiser Mari Girling, a teacher at the school, said: “The sixth-formers were fired up for a good debate.

Students got very heated on a number of subjects including the potential threat of a nuclear strike from North Korea.”

Pupils who took part in the event included Michael Ballentine, 18, Stuart Howes, 17, and Barney Hodder-Williams, 17, from Matthew Arnold School in Cumnor.

They formed a team of three to represent the country of Syria for the day.

Michael said: “It was good fun debating – I was amazed at how serious the situation in Syria was.”

Schools taking part were St Gregory the Great in Oxford, Burford School, Bartholomew School in Eynsham, Oxford High School, King Alfred’s Academy in Wantage, Balcarras School in Cheltenham, Matthew Arnold School, Didcot Sixth Form featuring pupils from St Birinus School and Didcot Girls’ School, and Wallingford School.