OXFORD University has created a website crammed with worldly questions to inspire curious minds.

The institution has launched a new digital portal aimed at school pupils, in a bid to broaden horizons and challenge children to think big.

The Oxplore project will pose a series of open-ended questions to spark debate outside of the classroom, such as 'is a robot a person?' and 'can war be a good thing?'

Dr Samina Khan, director of undergraduate admissions and outreach at the university, said: 'Oxplore can underpin outreach work from right across the collegiate university.

"The engaging design and content and the independent study it encourages may also reach those who for whatever reason don't think Oxford University is for them.

"From an early age we can start to dispel this belief and nurture intellectual curiosity."

Oxplore launched last week on several platforms including a website and social media.

The university hopes it will help to raise aspirations by engaging a wider range of youngsters aged between 11 and 18.

Oxplore features bright colours and each interactive question leads to a video, filled with more food for thought.

Dr Khan added: "Developing this new platform has allowed us to challenge ourselves, innovate and create something entirely new.

"Supporting access and outreach work is essential to helping us to ensure Oxford is accessible to all, and we can select the best students purely on academic merit and passion for their subject."

Questions address everything from archaeology to zoology, and many are underpinned by research undertaken by Oxford academics.

Oxplore is the latest boost to the university's bid to reach students from a diverse range of backgrounds, coordinated by a team dedicated to widening access and participation.

Earlier this month one of Oxford's richest colleges, Christ Church, announced it had put aside a fresh pot of money to help poorer students.

On Friday St Peter's College on New Inn Hall Street launched another new initiative involving nine state schools across the country.

Its experts will work with teachers from the schools to promote better understanding of subjects and encourage able students to apply.

Mark Damazer, master of St Peter's, said: "We have academics here full of excitement about the thought of teaching motivated school teachers who want to refresh or add to their knowledge.

"I hope the scheme leads to a richer understanding in the schools as a whole about what an Oxford college is really like and helps boost the confidence of teachers to get their best students to apply here."

The partnered schools are not in Oxfordshire but there is scope to expand.