Two Year 11 students from Great Academy Ashton were given a unique opportunity to shadow Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, on 12th September 2024. The work-shadowing experience provided the students with valuable insights into the life of a public leader and left them feeling inspired to make a difference both within their school and the wider community.
The day began at Media City, where the students were welcomed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Communications Team. They observed Mayor Burnham in action as he hosted his weekly radio show, “In the Hotseat”, where they witnessed firsthand how a leader communicates with the public on important regional issues. The visit to the radio studio highlighted the impact of media on leadership and inspired the students to explore careers in political journalism and public communications.
Afterward, the students visited GMCA’s Central Offices, where they met the Policy Team. This gave them a deeper understanding of how critical decisions affecting Greater Manchester are made. The experience sparked meaningful discussions about policy-making, particularly in the areas of housing, transportation, and climate change.
A key highlight of the day was the visit to Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne. The students were deeply moved by the compassionate care provided at the hospice and left with a strong desire to build connections between the school and the charity. They are now eager to explore how Great Academy Ashton students can support Willow Wood through fundraising and volunteer efforts.
The visit to St. Margaret Mary’s Primary School in New Moston offered another valuable learning experience, as the students observed the Mayor engaging with younger students about the importance of education and community involvement. Inspired by the day, the Year 11 students have since proposed launching a student-led school newsletter to give their peers a platform to share their ideas, achievements, and engage more closely with school life.
The work-shadowing experience ended at Great Academy Ashton, where the students reflected on the valuable lessons they learned throughout the day. Both felt motivated by Mayor Burnham’s leadership and were eager to turn their inspiration into action within their school and beyond.
Great Academy Ashton would like to express its sincere thanks to Andy Burnham and his team for offering such a rare and inspiring opportunity. The day has had a lasting impact on our students, sparking new ideas and encouraging them to consider careers in public service, journalism, and community engagement.
