Today we welcomed Lucy Powell MP and councillor Thomas Robinson at Bridge College for a joint meeting with the Policy and Campaigns team at Together Trust charity and Natspec.
Bridge College is our specialist higher education provision in Openshaw, enabling disabled and autistic students to access education that meets their needs.
We want to raise awareness of the unique issues facing specialist education, so we invited Lucy – MP for Manchester Central and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party – and Thomas Robinson – councillor for Openshaw – to discover a new side of specialist education and hear from young people in their local area.
Our students played a key role in the visit. Lucy joined our industrious student council to listen to what students had to say about:
- Ambitions for life after college
- How a specialist college helps with life goals
- Gaining work experience
- Accessing the local community
- Concerns about transitioning into adulthood
Students also asked Lucy about her: what her ambitions are for disabled people, what inspired her to become a politician, and her favourite parts about her job.
She told students: “My aspiration is that you lead a fulfilled and happy life and you get support in places like this to help you gain independence, the ability to work and fulfil your dreams.”
We then showed Lucy and Thomas around the college to highlight the importance of accessible facilities and a curriculum that supports the unique aspirations of students.
We also discussed about some of our policy concerns, including:
- Advocating for increased focus on care experience and mental health support in education provisions
- Future role of specialist education
- Keeping tribunal powers
- More involvement in local planning from SEND schools and colleges
A big thank you to Lucy and Thomas for taking the time to join us today, and to all of our students for their fantastic questions and participation.
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