Harris Federation students visited by Lupita Nyong'o as part of 'Words for Work: Women in Leadership' programme

This week female students from seven Harris academies were treated to a surprise visit from Oscar-winning actress and author Lupita Nyong’o.

Lupita came to speak to our students as part of the ‘Words for Work: Women in Leadership’ programme, run by the National Literacy Trust and Lanc?me, which aims to improve the literacy skills, leadership abilities and confidence of young women.

Lupita shared her own experience of learning to express herself effectively and spoke about the importance of strong communication skills. She also read excerpts from her best-selling picture book Sulwe, which addresses colourism,

self-esteem and inner beauty. The group then asked Lupita a number of thoughtful questions during a Q & A session which focused on her ambitions and goals growing up and the female role models who have encouraged her throughout her career.

Ms Evans, Federation Literacy Lead at the Harris Federation, said:

“WE ARE SO PLEASED TO BE WORKING IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST WHICH IS DOING FANTASTIC WORK PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY IN THE WORKPLACE THROUGH ITS WORDS FOR WORK CAMPAIGN. LUPITA IS AN INSPIRATIONAL ROLE MODEL AND WE ARE HUGELY GRATEFUL TO HER FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK TO OUR STUDENTS. WE KNOW THAT SHE HAS MADE A HUGE IMPACT ON THEM.

“THE WIDER PROGRAMME HAS ENSURED THAT OVER 200 OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE FULLEST POSSIBLE REALMS OF LANGUAGE THROUGH BOOKS, PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCES IN ORDER TO EXPAND THEIR HORIZONS AND ENRICH THEIR LANDSCAPES. AS WELL AS WORKSHOPS RUNNING AT EACH ACADEMY, THE STUDENTS HAVE VISITED LANC?ME’S OFFICES AND MET INSPIRATIONAL ROLE MODELS WHO HAVE REINFORCED THE MESSAGE THAT THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY SET THEIR MIND TO, REGARDLESS OF GENDER, BACKGROUND OR ETHNICITY. THE WORLD REALLY IS THEIR OYSTER!”.

Natalia, a student from Harris Academy Beckenham, said:

“IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE A WOMAN WHO LOOKS LIKE ME DOING WELL IN HER CAREER AND SPEAKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT MATTER TO ME. TODAY WAS UNFORGETTABLE. IT HAS GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE TO GET THE JOB I WANT AND GET THE SKILLS THAT I NEED. IT ALSO SHOWED ME HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO SUPPORT OTHER YOUNG WOMEN AROUND ME AS WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.”