Oldham Council Leader talks politics with Sixth Form students
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, visited Oldham Sixth Form College to meet students and staff, and see first-hand some of the impressive work taking place across the college.
Cllr Shah was given a tour of the college’s creative spaces, where Art, Photography, Fashion and Design students had their final pieces on display for assessment. She then sat down with a group of Year 12 and Year 13 students to hear about their ambitions and future plans, and to share her own journey into politics.
Cllr Arooj Shah said: “I never take a single minute of my role for granted. I feel so blessed to be in this position and carry a real sense of duty to make a difference in people’s lives. It was inspiring to meet students who genuinely care about their communities and want to understand how politics works.
My message to them is simple. If you see something you don’t like, use your voice and get involved. Local government is where real change can happen and there’s no better reward than making a positive impact in your own community.”
Cllr Shah also spoke to a Year 12 Politics class, answering questions about life in local government and the role of a council leader.
Suzannah Reeves, Principal at Oldham Sixth Form College, said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Cllr Arooj Shah to the college. She was engaging and honest about her experiences and our students really valued the chance to speak with someone who is making a difference in Oldham.
Encouraging young people to take an active interest in politics is more important than ever, and Cllr Shah’s visit helped bring those conversations to life in an inspiring way.”
The visit gave students a real insight into local politics and what it means to represent a community. It was a valuable experience for anyone thinking about becoming a councillor or MP in the future. Who knows, the next Prime Minister could be sitting right here in Oldham.
