Student Parliament 2025-26: National Insights, Local Action
Last week, 25 of our students united for the inaugural Student Parliament of the 2025-26 academic year. Fuelled by pizza and a shared ambition to shape college life, this meeting marked a shift in gear for our Student Voice model, driven heavily by national developments in education.
The session was anchored by our Student Board Members, fresh from the AoC (Association of Colleges) Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025.
Having represented the College on a national stage, they returned with a wealth of new ideas and sector highlights. These Board Members led the main body of the meeting, using their experience at the conference to steer an energetic open-floor discussion. It was a powerful example of students not just attending the College, but actively helping to govern it.
Inspired by the national context, the Parliament then drilled down into the practicalities of daily life at College. The representatives debated key topics including:
- Upgrades to student social spaces
- Canteen accessibility and opening times
- Travel and commuting challenges
- Exciting progress on the new campus build at Bournemouth (more details coming soon...)
Principal Phil Sayles attended the session with a clear objective.
"My role, in attending, as I told them, is to 'listen and serve'," Phil explained. "I can give some immediate feedback, but their views and requests then go to our College Executives and come back to the next parliament with answers and solutions. Their perspective is valuable and presses us to address issues with renewed focus."
Writing on LinkedIn, Phil noted how quickly the representatives are developing the confidence to make persuasive arguments. "Their values, ambition, care and humanity shine through," he said.
What’s Next? The meeting wrapped up with an invitation to the Christmas Fair at the Poole campus, but the work continues. The items raised are now being reviewed by the College Executive, ready for the next Parliament session on 25th February.
It is clear that when students are given a platform, they don't just speak. They lead.
