Plaid Cymru Leader Visits Coleg y Cymoedd Campus

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood has met with two Rhondda students who have achieved their ambition of gaining a place at Oxford University.

The Assembly Member from Penygraig met with 20-year-olds Shannon Britton and Andrew Williams during a visit to the Nantgarw campus of Coleg y Cymoedd.

Shannon, who comes from Ferndale, will shortly be starting her second year of an English degree at Exeter College in Oxford. Andrew, from Ynyshir, is about to commence his first year of a Physics degree at St Hilda’s College in Oxford.

Leanne met with the two students during a visit to the state-of-the-art Nantgarw campus, where she was hosted by college Principal Judith Evans and Ian Rees, Strategic Alliance Manager for the college’s A-Level Centre.

She also took part in a Q&A session in front of a class full of A-level students, where she fielded questions about tuition fees, women in politics, Wales’ future and Plaid Cymru’s plans to improve the education system in Wales.

Ms Wood said: “I enjoyed the visit to Coleg y Cymoedd and was impressed by the modern learning environment on campus. The students who came to the Q&A session provided me with intelligent questions that demonstrated a good understanding of politics and Welsh issues. They were a credit to their parents and tutors.”

Ms Wood added: “In particular it was great to speak with Shannon and Andrew about their achievements to date, their journeys from their local communities and their plans for graduating from Oxford. They were two inspiring individuals and role models for young people in the Rhondda.

They are proof that, with hard work, determination and support, you can achieve anything. I wish them both well for the future.”

Ian Rees, Strategic Alliance Manager for Coleg y Cymoedd’s A-Level Centre said: “This was an excellent opportunity for A-Level students at the College – the next generation of voters – to put their questions to one of the main party leaders in the National Assembly for Wales, and to heighten their political awareness. We are very grateful to Leanne Wood for taking time out of her busy schedule to visit the College. We are also very proud of Shannon and Andrew’s achievements and would like to wish them all the very best in their studies at Oxford.”

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