Winstanley College at the Centre of the National Conversation

The past two weeks have marked a truly remarkable moment in Winstanley College’s near 50-year history, as the College took centre stage in the national political spotlight.

Within just a few days, Winstanley hosted both the BBC’s flagship programme Question Time and a major Manchester Evening News hustings for the Makerfield by-election. These high-profile events brought national media, political candidates and members of the public onto campus, giving students a unique opportunity to engage with democracy in action.

Reflecting on the experience, Principal Simon Lett said:

“What really impressed me was the way these events gave our students the opportunity to take part in something with real national prominence. At Winstanley, students don’t just achieve fantastic qualifications – they also develop the skills, confidence and understanding they need for the wider world.”

Students were at the heart of both events. A team from Winstanley TV worked alongside professional journalists and videographers to film and record the Manchester Evening News hustings, gaining valuable hands-on experience in live production and political journalism. Their professionalism and technical ability were praised by Manchester Evening News Executive Editor Amanda Crook, who noted how impressed her team were and that some students may even be supported with future work placements or references.

Aspiring journalists were also given the chance to network with leading figures from local and national media ahead of the hustings. The experience provided valuable insight into the industry and helped students begin building connections for their future careers. As student Daniel Rooney explained, “The opportunity to network and learn from the best journalists in the country seems too important to miss.”

Winstanley students also played an active role in the debate itself. During the hustings, students Amie Bullough and Tesia Seddon put thoughtful questions directly to the candidates, ensuring that issues affecting young people were represented. Amie challenged candidates on immigration and the pressures on public services, while Tesia focused on how politicians can better engage young people in democracy. Following the event, both students were interviewed by Helen Pidd for The Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast, giving them further experience of contributing to a national conversation.

The College’s involvement in the by-election coverage continues, with students taking part in interviews with the BBC and ITV and contributing their views as first-time voters to an upcoming LBC Radio special hosted by Tom Swarbrick. Looking ahead, Winstanley alumnus Connor Sephton, now working for Sky News and The Guardian, will produce a post-election special, highlighting the strong links between the College and the media industry.

These experiences showcase what makes Winstanley College distinctive. Alongside achieving outstanding qualifications, students are given meaningful opportunities to develop real-world skills, build confidence and engage with the wider world — preparing them for success in whatever path they choose.