Barton Peveril Welcome Minister of State for Skills and Apprenticeships

Barton Peveril Sixth Form College welcomed Minister of State for Skills and Apprenticeships, the Rt Hon Anne Milton MP, on Thursday 21^st March. Ms Milton spoke to current students about their education and plans for the future, before meeting with staff from across the College.

Ms Milton first spoke to second year students Anna Bodman, Elijah Jeffery, Vilte Sukyte and first Melody Biebeda Mijero and first year student Miriam Firth about their plans after finishing their studies at college.

Anna Bodman currently has an offer to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford, Elijah Jeffery plans to study Music at Royal Welsh College of Music, Vilte Sukyte is pursuing her offer to study Medicine at the University of Bristol and Melody Biebeda Mijero plans to study Fashion Journalism at University.

First year students Miriam Firth is exploring her options in the Health and Social Care sector.

Student Anna Bodman commented on the visit:

“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to meet Anne Milton MP and her colleagues. We had an interesting and passionate discussion about the future of further education in which I truly believe our thoughts as young people were acknowledged and respected.”

Ms Milton then had a tour of the College and its facilities. This tour included watching the Women’s Basketball Team train, experiencing three rehearsals from the College’s Performing Arts students, and a visit to students in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology lessons.

Speaking on the Guilford Member of Parliament’s visit, Barton Peveril Principal Jonathan Prest said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome The Skills Minister, Anne Milton to Barton Peveril today. She was animated by talking to our students about their lessons and plans for the future and obviously has a genuine interest in providing excellent opportunities for sixth formers.

“We discussed how good education at 16-18 can strengthen the future economy of the country. The Minister was interested to debate the on-going role for diploma courses when T levels have been introduced and the funding challenges currently facing sixth form education.”

The Rt Hon Anne Milton said of her visit:

“Our further education and sixth form colleges have a vital role to play helping people of all ages and backgrounds get the skills they need to get on in life.

“It was fantastic to visit Barton Peveril Sixth Form College and to meet their amazing staff and students. They are doing some brilliant work here to make sure more young people are able to gain a range of important skills from STEM to performing arts.

“It was a pleasure to be able to visit and I wish them all the best and look forward to hearing more about their great work.”