Jack Abbott, Ipswich MP, visits WS Training   

On Friday 13th March, Jack Abbott, Member of Parliament for Ipswich, visited WS Training. Keep reading to find out the reason for his visit and the conversations he had with our learners.   

Who is Jack Abbott?  

Jack Abbott is a British Labour and Co-operative Party politician serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ipswich since 2024.  

Jack grew up in Suffolk. He went to school here, and after university, he came back to live and work in the county. Prior to becoming the MP of Ipswich, he worked in the renewable energy sector and was previously a teaching assistant at a local school.  

He noticed that the ambition of those in politics and the government hasn’t always matched the ambition of the working people in Ipswich. He’s determined to change that. Jack says, “Ipswich has so much potential. I’ve got straight to work to deliver real change for our town.” 

You can learn more about Jack here: Jack Abbott | Labour and Co-operative MP | Ipswich 

Jack Abbott’s visit to WS Training, Supported Learning Centre in Ipswich  

Jack Abbott’s visit to WS Training’s Supported Learning Centre in Ipswich was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible work taking place and the positive impact on learners. 

Keep reading to find out more about why Jack Abbott visited, what he did whilst he was here, and how he engaged with learners during his time at the centre.  

Kerrie Taylor, Centre Manager, said, “It was fantastic to welcome Jack to our Ipswich centre. It allowed him to meet our learners and see the work we do every day.” 

Why Jack Abbott visited WS Training  

Jack visited our Supported Learning Centre in Ipswich on 13th March 2026. The purpose of the visit was for staff and learners to get to know Jack, but also to show him around our centre, and explain more about what we offer.  

Activities that took place during the visit  

When Jack Abbott arrived, he was greeted in Reception and taken on a tour around the centre. He then took a tour of the centre with the Managing Director of BrightPeak, Alex Glasner, the CEO, Kirstie Wright, the Head of Education, Chloe Barnett, and the Centre Manager, Kerrie Taylor, before meeting with learners. (You can meet the rest of our team here)

Jack asked the learners what they enjoyed most about being at WS Training.  

One learner replied, “I like being here because I make really good friends. Being here, they help me make friends and with work if I’m struggling.”  

Another commented, “It’s setting me up for life. I can now work my way up to mainstream college or an apprenticeship.”

Questions learners asked  

Jack was genuinely interested in learning more about our learners, their backgrounds, their journeys, and their individual interests. He sparked engaging conversations around local projects and even discussed the impact of major events in the area, such as how many people travelled to Ipswich to see Ed Sheeran perform live, and how events like this benefit the local economy. 

He also spoke about his support for local football and encouraged open conversation by asking what they had been up to during their break. These simple but meaningful interactions helped create a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. 

When Jack asked learners what they were focusing on in class, and they responded with customer service, he showed a real interest in their learning. He followed up with questions and shared his own experience, explaining, “I used to work in a restaurant, so I had to learn about good and bad service too,” helping to bring their studies to life with a relatable example. 

Our learners were equally keen to engage, arriving with thoughtful questions prepared for Jack. They spoke openly about their own experiences within the education system, sharing both challenges and successes. Conversations also explored the topic of potholes, the cost of learning to drive and the realities of public transport, as well as the importance of mental health and the support available. 

Jack responded to each question with care, taking the time to provide thoughtful, detailed answers and ensuring every learner felt heard and valued throughout the discussion. 

We also feel that these visits are a fantastic opportunity for learners to meet with Members of Parliament. It provides them with the chance to ask questions, and for Members of Parliament to learn about the work we do at WS Training.  

Read about Jess Asato’s visit to WS Training’s Supported Learning Centre in Lowestoft here.

Read about Nick Timothy’s visit to WS Training’s Supported Learning Centre in Haverhill here.