Students have told of the “absolute privilege” of taking part in a new initiative from Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal, which is set to return next year.
Ms Uppal hosted her first ever summer school this year, welcoming young people from across the local area to take part in a week of hands-on learning, visits and discussions on politics, leadership and public service.
The packed programme took students from Kirklees Council to Westminster, offering insight into how politics connects with everything from community organisations, industry and the media to local and national government.
Kicking off in Huddersfield, students began the week with sessions on life as an MP before heading to the Town Hall to meet the Mayor and Council Leader of Kirklees, as well as Cabinet Members.
Tuesday saw a visit to Parliament, where students met with MPs, civil servants, advisors, and even squeezed in a stop at Number 10 and a tour of Parliament. They also got to meet the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, and the Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
Later in the week, students explored innovation and industry with Cummins, heard from the Huddersfield Town Foundation about local youth work, and learned about storytelling and representation at Kirklees Local TV.
On Thursday, they visited the BBC and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, where they heard from Deputy Mayor Alison Lowe and Inclusivity Champion, Fatima Khan-Shah about how policy impacts daily life.
The week concluded with a tour and graduation ceremony at the Accu Stadium, led by Huddersfield Town legend Andy Booth.
Speaking after the event, Harpreet said: “As someone who is born and raised in Huddersfield, I know how important it is that young people from our town are given the same opportunities to learn, grow, and develop their talents like anyone else in the country.
“That’s exactly what this summer school was about – giving young people an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of politics, public service, community engagement and to help them gain skills and experience needed for future jobs.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this group. Every single student brought energy, thoughtfulness and insight to the week and I know they’ve got bright futures ahead of them.
“I’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to John Perry and the Fran Perry Foundation for supporting our trip to Parliament. Thanks to their support, the students were able to gain valuable experience into life in Parliament — seeing it up close, meeting people who work here, and understanding how decisions that affect their lives are made.
“I’ll be running the programme again next year, and I’d encourage any young person interested in politics or public service to apply.”
Nav, who took part in the scheme, said: “Attending Harpreet’s summer school provided me with a really interesting insight into the crucial role she and her team play in representing our community. Having the opportunity to also meet and chat with a range of people from different sectors was also very valuable and informative.
“I’d heavily recommend it to anyone interested in politics or anyone who wishes to get to know more about the political field. You’ll have fun and you’ll learn a lot from it.”
Another participant, Aisha, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to take part in such a prestigious opportunity. I’ve gained insights into the UK political system that no textbook could ever provide. I was able to experience and interview a diverse array of politicians and civil servants and hear their perspectives and experiences, something that is truly priceless to me.
“Despite my initial preconceptions about politics, this experience has shown me just how broad and dynamic the field truly is, with opportunities to suit a wide range of interests and perspectives. Applications for next year’s programme will open in early 2026.”
