Wigan & Leigh College students celebrate democracy

Ahead of the General Election, Wigan & Leigh College students held a range of activities to celebrate living in a democracy. 

Suffragette sashes were worn by Floristry and A Level students and staff to commemorate the women who fought for the right to vote and the College is already starting to raise awareness that next year will mark the centenary of when the act was passed. Floristry students created rose buttonholes to celebrate the Suffragettes and students and staff made donations to the Mayor’s Homelessness Fund.

Grayson Perry’s, ‘Divided Britain’, was shown in the theatre which is a documentary where the filmmaker sets out to make two artworks reflecting the two sides of the Brexit debate and starter activities and themed projects took place in sessions as arranged by departments.

The students wanted it to be a fun event to celebrate as a community and to raise awareness that other parts of the world don’t have the same privileges. Students could enjoy complimentary cakes and pastries whilst listening to the DJ, and could choose to have a free treatment from the hair and beauty team. Over just the lunch time period, students managed to raise £214, all of which will go to the Mayor’s Homelessness Fund.

Assistant Principal, Maxine Mealy said, “We never forget, or let our students forget, just how lucky we are to be able to vote and how lucky we are to live in a democracy. As a college community we listen to our students and promote ‘learner voice’ in terms of how it helps us to shape our college and its effectiveness. Our students have yet again demonstrated their respect, kindness and how they value the opinions of others; it was fabulous day.”