Angela Rayner meets youngsters at Manchester United's school academy

Ashton MP Angela Rayner paid a visit to Great Academy Ashton to meet Year Nine pupils who are taking part in Manchester United Foundation’s Digital Futures Academy.

Angela also met a group of Year Eleven students who had recently been appointed on a leadership programme at the school.

The Foundation uses football to engage and inspire young people to build a better life for themselves and unite the communities in which they live. Dedicated staff deliver educational and community outreach programmes to help young people make positive choices in their lives.

The Digital Futures Academy was launched earlier this year and strives to support and empower young people, connecting them to opportunities they may otherwise not have access to, enhancing their career prospects and shaping the future of work.

DXC Technology – Presenting Partner of Manchester United Foundation – will work with the club’s associated charity on the programme introducing students to technology topics such as automation, big data, virtual reality and security, as well as professional development skills. The project will support 50 secondary school students over four years.

The curriculum, which has been co-created by DXC Technology’s digital experts, Manchester United Foundation and a local advisory group, will use mentoring, personal development and practical sessions to build social leaders of the future. By the end of the programme, students will be supported with pathways into further education, colleges, apprenticeships and employment.

Angela said: “It was fantastic to talk to the pupils involved with this project and hear how much they are getting out of it. School visits are the best bit of my job and I am always so inspired by how engaged they are with the world around them. It gives me great hope for the future.

“I am so grateful to the Manchester United Foundation and DXC for giving young people within my constituency this wonderful opportunity.”

John Shiels MBE, Chief Executive of Manchester United Foundation, said: “Meeting Angela has been an insightful experience for our young people to consider how they can transition from becoming a junior leader at school to then making an impact in wider society in years to come.

“The young people asked Angela many intelligent questions and took inspiration from her wisdom and life experiences. We encourage leadership and resilience across our delivery in our partner schools, and we can already see how these unique opportunities are having such a positive impact on our pupils.”

Head student, Zayna said: “It was amazing to have the chance to hear about politics in an honest way. For us on the start of our leadership journey, it was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the challenges of women in leadership and gave us inspiration going forward.”

Parisa in Year Nine, added: “We loved being to able to explain what we have been doing with DXC and Angela was really enthusiastic about the programme. She also explained the importance of being confident and I will definitely use this advice going forward.”