'There's hidden talent here which people don't see'

The summer school was taught by local entrepeneurs

Pupils say they have been inspired to aim high after a summer school with talks from self-made millionaires, MPs and local business-leaders.

Based at Weston-super-Mare Pier, the course on Thursday and Friday was open to young people from Weston-super-Mare, Worle, and surrounding villages.

In 2024, only 27.7% of 18-year-olds in Weston-super-Mare applied to university, the lowest rate since 2013, the town's MP Dan Aldridge - who founded the summer school - said.

Penny, a pupil who took part, said: "There's a lot of hidden talent in Weston that people don't see. There are a lot of smart kids here who will make a big impact but they don't get the opportunity to because they don't know politics."

With talks on subjects from AI and digital design to politics and public speaking, Penny said the summer school had allowed her to meet people with similar interests.

"I want to see more things like this, not just in Weston but everywhere, because politics is not talked about enough.

"So many young people won't know that they enjoy politics because they don't know what it is," she added.

Dan Aldridge said he would have enjoyed the school when he was younger

Mr Aldridge said he would have benefited from the programme when he was younger.

"One of the frustrations I always had as a young person growing up here is that change was always happening over there and not here, the opportunities were over there and not here," he said.

"And that's not true anymore. It's about giving them the tools and they can just run with them," he added.

Mr Aldridge said he hoped to address concerns about limited opportunities for young people in the area with the summer school.

Zara, a student who also took part, said the class had helped her feel more confident.

'Keeps people going'

She said it was important to see an event taking place in Weston-super-Mare, rather than a bigger place like Bristol, as it engaged more local people.

"All the people who have spoken here have made it clear you can do what you want to do," she said.

Andrew Scott, an entrepreneur from the town who was one of the mentors, said he hoped the talks could inspire student going through difficulties.

"When you're facing hardship, sometimes you can't see a way out.

"When you hear from somebody else who's been through hardships and they have gone on to do great things, I think it keeps people going," he said.

Student Ben said he had found the experience "very insightful" and it had encouraged him to think about politics as a career.

"I want to improve people's lives for the better and impact my local community as I want to improve the local area.

"Stuff like this helps engage young people and helps them know what they want to do in the future," he added.

Headline speakers at the event included Casey Calista from Meta, Freddie Cook from Snap, Niels Stevens from Adobe and MP Leigh Ingham, among others.

The summer school is set to return next year.