Angela visited White Bridge College in Dukinfield to meet pupils and take a closer look at the Ready4work initiative.

Angela enjoyed a buffet made by catering students before she toured the various classrooms, talking to pupils in the woodwork, baking and design departments.

She said: “It was wonderful to visit the various departments at the college and see all the exciting projects taking place. The students are clearly extremely engaged with the work they are doing and the staff at White Bridge are doing a fantastic job. The career programme is an excellent initiative that will give the young people excellent skills and preparation for their lives after college.”

The college, on Globe Lane, is home to 109 students from within the Tameside Pupils Referral Service. Each student has experienced significant adverse childhood experiences and many have Education Health Care Plans and additional learning needs.

Last year, the college appointed Colin Ransom as Careers Advisor in a voluntary role. He put into place partnerships with local businesses and set up work placements to prepare students for their future careers.

Principal Michael Wain said: “Teenagers suffer a lot of negative press but students at White Bridge College have quietly been reaching out to those in greatest need within our local community. Every week our school minibus is ferrying students and their self-made meals to homeless shelters and elderly care homes to feed and spend time with vulnerable adults that have become reliant on interactions with our students. Sometimes you just have to offer alternative opportunities to allow young people to shine. When you meet our students, you discover stars.”