At a recent meeting of local education providers, local businesses and community figures, the Chair of Southport Learning Town, Alan Potter, spoke about the range of people in the community who provide learning and education of a very high quality every day. He went on to say that they do so with the aspiration to support children, young people and adults to make the best of themselves.

The intention of this initiative is to bring the whole town together to promote and enjoy lifelong learning by building on that provision. Mr Potter said that “The hope is that in two years’ time, we are able to apply for Southport to gain UNESCO Learning City status, which is recognised around the world. So far, we have been positively supported by Simon Joos, the Lead Officer for the Manchester UNESCO Learning City, who makes sure that a wide range of institutions are all working together to put learning at the centre of the city. It is this approach that we hope to create for Southport in two years’ time.”

Mr Potter said that the approach adopted in Southport is one that has not been done tried before by being ‘community-led’ rather than being promoted by a state or council. He went on to say that “We need to draw attention to Southport as a particular place to come and learn. We already have support from colleagues in early years, from schools and from The Learning Rooms who adult learners. We also have engagement from Southport College, Edge Hill University, Southport Arts Society, Southport University Extension Society, and Southport u3a. We will also continue to work with the local council as together, there is much we can achieve.”