Sadik Al-Hassan, Labour MP for North Somerset, visited Weston College to engage with students, offering inspiration to the next generation while gaining insights from young people on potential changes and improvements for his campaigns.  

Sadik was elected in July 2024 and brings nearly two decades of experience as a pharmacist; a background that strongly influences his political interests and initiatives. 

His visit began with a Q&A session with Politics and Economics A Level students, where he shared his journey from pharmacy to politics and how this transition has shaped his campaign. This session provided learners with valuable insights into entering politics and an opportunity to discuss his views and policies.  

Following the Q&A, Sadik joined Weston College Principal, Pat Jones, and Deputy Principal, Alex Warner, as part of a panel for a Dragon’s Den-style activity. Here, students from A Level Environmental Health presented innovative ideas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Weston-super-Mare. From litter-picking initiatives and improved public transport, to AI-powered waste bins and electric car vacuums, students showcased well-researched, confident, and professional proposals. The panel questioned each group before selecting a winner based on research, feasibility, and sustainability, encouraging students to consider small but impactful ways to drive change and make a difference.  

Given Sadik’s extensive background in pharmacies, a tour of the Health and Active Living Skills Centre was a key part of the visit. Sadik explored the impressive Health, Social Care and Sport facilities, such as the Medical Simulation Room, and observed a Level 2 Health and Social Care lecture, where students simulated real-life patient-carer scenarios to develop empathy and practical skills.  

The visit concluded with a lunch meeting with Student Representatives, where discussions focused on student-led initiatives, strategies, and the changes they’ve implemented to improve Weston College based on peer feedback.  

Sadik was impressed with the professionalism and insightfulness of our learners, saying, “It was wonderful to visit Weston College to meet the hardworking teams and amazing students. Having a chance to talk with them all and answer their questions was a privilege and more than a little enjoyable for me.  

The entire day I met with students representing the hopes of North Somerset, whether quizzing me on assisted dying or showing me projects that could solve our climate crisis, they showed how bright our future could be.” 

Overall, Sadik Al-Hassan’s visit left learners feeling inspired and empowered. His journey into politics demonstrated that career paths are not always direct and linear, encouraging students to pursue their ambitions, regardless of where they start.  

We would like to say a big thank you to Sadik Al-Hassan for taking the time to visit our students and provide meaningful advice for their future. 

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.