Local MP and former student Dan Aldridge visits Loxton Campus

Recently, Sixth Form students at Weston College were given the opportunity to quiz their local MP during a visit to the College's Loxton Campus.

Dan Aldridge, the MP for Weston-super-Mare and a former Weston College student, returned to the College to speak with A Level learners, and then appear as a guest on the Media student-led Weston Waves Podcast.

Dan, who made history as Weston-super-Mare's first Labour MP, studied for his own A Levels at the College before going on to study Psychology at Exeter University.

During the visit, Dan took the time to speak to students individually, and he was keen to find out their views on the recently announced social media bans for under-16s. 

The topic sparked some lively debate, with learners sharing a variety of perspectives. While some students expressed support for tighter restrictions on social media to protect young people from harmful or misleading content, others raised concerns about how the ban could affect communication, which could lead to some young people feeling isolated. 

Dan also spoke with the students about his experiences in politics, his former career working for a technology charity, and his upbringing in Weston-super-Mare - including being the first in his family to attend university - as well as the challenges he faces as an MP.  

Following the discussion, Dan headed over to the campus’s podcast and audio studio, where he was interviewed by media students from the Weston Waves student podcast. 

The interview explored a range of issues important to young people, with the questions all written by the students. The topics covered included immigration, knife crime, support for young men, SEND provision and the cost-of-living crisis. Finally, after all the serious discussion, the interview wrapped up with a more light-hearted question: what is the MP's go-to meal deal?

Dan’s visit gave students the opportunity to engage with current affairs and their local MP.

Commenting on his visit, Dan said: “It was fantastic to return to Weston College and take part in the Weston Waves podcast. I really enjoyed connecting with the students and hearing their views on the topics that matter most to them. 

“As I told the students, they are living through historic and exciting times as we prepare for the fourth industrial revolution, and their perspectives and ideas will help shape the future. I was really impressed with their level of debate and how engaged and thought through their questions were.”