In her first local engagement since being appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner visited Ashton Sixth Form College to engage with students and share insights from her journey in politics. As the MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne, Angela’s visit marks a significant occasion for the college and its students.

 

The Right Honourable Lady, who has been representing Ashton-Under-Lyne since 2015, recently returned to her roots to share her journey from growing up in Stockport to holding one of the highest offices in the UK government. During her visit, she engaged in discussions with past, present, and future politics students, offering them a unique opportunity to learn from a prominent political figure.

 

Her path from Home Care Worker to Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is truly remarkable. As the area's representative, Angela Rayner aims to ensure that her constituents are part of this journey. Her key message emphasized that students from Ashton Sixth Form College and the wider Stamford Park Trust can achieve their ambitions, regardless of their backgrounds.

 

Students eagerly participated in the session, asking Rayner challenging questions on various topics, including the future of education, how the government will engage young people to vote and the challenges being a working-class woman brings. Politics student Phoebe commented, "Having the opportunity to meet Angela Rayner was an amazing experience and it encouraged me to strive for my aspirations because if she can do it, so can I!”

 

 

The college is supporting the Sixth Form Association’s 'Protect Student Choice’ campaign, which aims to ensure students have continued access to BTEC and other AGQ qualifications, promoting social mobility and inclusive education. When students inquired about the future of these qualifications, the Deputy Prime Minister assured them that this issue is definitely on the radar.

 

Centre Principal at Ashton Sixth Form College, Lisa Richards said: " It was an absolute honour and a delight to have Angela in college today, speaking to our current, past and future students as well year 10 pupils from our partner schools. As the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, she has long been a friend of the college and is hugely supportive of the work we do with young people and adult returners, so we were delighted when she chose to come here as one of her first post-election visits and as Deputy Prime Minister.

 

I think it is safe for me to say that the students were hugely inspired by Angela’s talk. One said to me on leaving: ‘it’s made me feel that anything is possible’!  I am very proud of the intelligent and pertinent questions asked by students and pupils, on topics ranging from the future of BTECs to the role of social media in election campaigns. What a fabulous afternoon.”

 

 

As part of Stamford Park Trust, the college was also proud to invite budding politicians from partner schools Rayner Stephens High School and Longdendale High School, as well as Fairfield High School for Girls, which is set to join the trust next academic year. The multi-academy trust, established in 2019, aims to improve the life chances of young people in Tameside. Ashton Sixth Form College works closely with schools in the Tameside Borough to deliver Excellence and Ambition for all.

 

Ashton Sixth Form College has a longstanding partnership with local MPs, including Angela Rayner, Jonathan Reynolds, and Andrew Gwynne. This collaboration has been instrumental in creating outstanding and diverse opportunities for young people and adult students in Tameside. Rayner praised the college, stating, "Ashton Sixth Form is a real asset to the community that I am proud to represent."

 

The college extends its congratulations to the re-elected MPs and looks forward to continuing its fruitful partnerships.