Students at Evolve College, based in Ripon since 2001, received a visit from Rt Hon Julian Smith CBE MP to meet the students, tour the campus and see how Evolve provides a bespoke full-time educational programme to students from around the region.
Evolve student Rory Hall wrote to the Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, inviting him to come and visit the campus, so he and his fellow classmates could speak with him in person. Rory, who has a keen interest in Politics, developed a series of questions for the MP, and the Q&A session live-streamed across the campus. Evolve students had been recently learning about Politics and the UK Government and were also given the opportunity to put questions to the minister during the live stream.
Evolve, which is part of Craven College, is a small and welcoming college in the centre of Ripon, which provides a supportive, friendly and inclusive learning environment for full-time students. Students at Evolve can select an industry placement linked to their career aspirations, alongside studying a choice of qualifications in Horticulture and the Arts, maths and English. Students benefit from a holistic timetable including enrichment sessions as well as gaining relevant employability skills. Evolve has been based at its current location on High Skellgate in Ripon since March 2019.
On his visit Mr Smith was taken on a tour of the facilities by Rory, accompanied by the Head of Evolve, Bev Skaife. The MP met students and staff and saw the newer additional learning spaces, as well as hearing about plans for future developments of the campus.
Evolve student Rory Hall said of the visit and the Q&A session he led, “It was really nice to meet Julian Smith today and I’m very pleased that he had the time to come to Evolve. He answered all the questions I put to him very well. I’d like to go into politics and one day be part of the Cabinet, maybe be Home Secretary!”
Bev Skaife, Head of Evolve comments, “It’s been a fantastic experience for Rory and he’s done an incredible job of arranging the visit, tour and Q&A session. Evolve students had been recently learning about Politics and the UK Government and it was a valuable opportunity to put questions to the minister during the live stream. “
Rory plans to write again to Julian Smith MP, who has offered to give further advice about how to get into politics to Rory and any other Evolve students who are interested in pursuing a career in this sector.
