The Duchess of Sussex celebrates International Women’s Day at Robert Clack School!
“Oh my god, that’s Meghan! I’m actually going to meet Meghan!” This was one student’s reaction as the Duchess of Sussex surprised students at Robert Clack’s upper site on Friday 6th March ahead of International Women’s Day.
Excitement filled the air as Meghan got out of her car and was greeted by Ian Pittaway - Deputy Lieutenant for Barking and Dagenham and Co-chair of the Robert Clack Alumni Association. Many of the children were speechless, while others gasped as they set eyes on the Duchess who was stood before them. A few weeks earlier Ian had received an email asking if any local schools would like a visit from the Duchess. The theme of the event was International Women’s Day and, with Dagenham holding such an important place in the history of women’s rights following the Ford sewing machinists strike which was instrumental in passing the 1970 Equal Pay Act, Robert Clack were particularly keen to welcome such a special guest.
We were honoured to be selected and set about making plans for the day with the Duchess’s staff and security services. After being introduced to Head Teacher Russell Taylor and Senior Deputy Head Teacher Steve O’Brien, Meghan smiled broadly as she was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Year 7 students, Fiona A and Harvi S.
Meghan was then invited to the Information Centre where she was welcomed by Assistant Head Izzy Eames and her Year 9 students who were working on a project about female poets. The students had researched a variety of female poets, studied an unseen poem, and were busy creating their own poems using their research as inspiration. The Duchess was very interested in their work and offered encouraging words when students shared their poems with her and the group.
Meghan then met Assistant Head Emily Valentine and the Year 12 Debating Society. Robert Clack Debaters have rubbed shoulders with stars and politicians over the years - but never royalty! Miss Valentine shared her experiences of the day. She praised them for how articulate they were and that it was clear that the moral compasses they hold will enable them to become world leaders when they complete their education. A particular highlight of our time with the Duchess was when she was made an honourary member of the Debate Society and students Lily and Yesha presented her with her own debate jacket, she said that 'her husband would be very jealous'. It was an absolute honour for some of our Debate Society to meet such a warm, modern and personable member of the Royal Family. It was a day that we will never forget!”
“When Mr Taylor told me about the Royal Visit from the Duchess of Sussex there was no question about ensuring that our wonderful debaters got an opportunity to show off their skills, especially as the issues that the Duchess holds close to her heart are the same as those involved in the Debate Society. What struck me about the Duchess was that she was incredibly down to earth and keen to hear the views and aspirations of those taking part in the session. She remarked on the fact that they were able to discuss their future careers. One example was embarking on work in Gynaecology in the developing world, and how student Aeesha was able link science and debate effortlessly.
She recognised that our students have the ability to change the world using their voices and encouraged them to continue to have their voices heard. Debater, Aeesah A added, “The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is an inspirational person not just to young people from ethnic minorities and females, but to the general population. I believe she has this influence because she has already accomplished so many great achievements in her life whilst overcoming many difficulties thrown her way. To have her join our Debate Society has made all of us more proud of being part of the Robert Clack Debate Society. Meeting the Duchess of Sussex has given me personally more confidence and assurance that my ability to speak out can make positive changes and help improve the lives of people for the better. Her joining of our Debate Society has helped solidify the fact that young people can make a change in the world that we live in and that the steps that we are taking to do this are being noticed by many people from all around the world.”
The Duchess made her final stop of the visit at the assembly hall where she was keen to take part in the Year 11 assembly which was themed around International Women’s Day. She was introduced to former student Miss Hasika Bhudia, teacher of mathematics and Head of Year 11, along with another honoured guest - former student Geraldine Dear, a retired Ford Machinist, who took part in the Equal Pay Strike. Students Rhyanna W and Renee P-D kick started the assembly by speaking eloquently about the global impact the female Dagenham Ford workers made on women’s rights. The first strike in 1968 was a trigger in passing the Equal Pay Act 1970. Geraldine was one of the ’13 rebels’ who took part in a further strike in 1984, in protest against the system that graded women as unskilled workers. Geraldine and her machinist colleagues went on strike for six weeks before Ford eventually agreed to their terms and they returned to work on an equal footing to the male skilled workers.
Year 13 student Olivia C then made a heartfelt speech about her own experiences as a woman and reflected on where she thought life would take her. Olivia said, “This visit is certainly one I will remember, as the crucial celebration of women and female empowerment was recognised by a leading female figure in public British consciousness. As I am from a borough with issues surrounding gender equality and the empowerment of young people, I think that Meghan Markle recognising our area and our school as an important centre of change for gender in our society and the role and status of women is incredibly powerful.”
The ‘Citizen of The Week’ award was then presented to student Charlotte Fleisher by Meghan. A very excited Charlotte said, “It was amazing to see Meghan in school. I couldn’t believe it when she congratulated me for receiving my award and shook my hand. This memory will stay with me forever!” The Duchess then addressed the assembly, urging the boys in particular, to value and appreciate the women in their lives whilst setting an example to other men who may not see things in the same way. “You have mothers, sisters, girlfriends, and friends in your lives. Protect them, make sure they are feeling valued and safe. Let’s just rally together to make sure International Women’s Day is something that is not just for one day but frankly feels like every day of the year.”
She then went ‘off the cuff’ and asked for a male volunteer from the audience.Aker O was the lucky student to be chosen! Aker approached the stage to rapturous applause and cheers from his peers and, shaking Meghan’s hand, he said the words, “She really is beautiful innit!” which has become his tag line and gone viral on social media! Aker received a big hug from the giggling Duchess who was clearly amused by his reaction before speaking with confidence about his views on women’s rights. A very proud Miss Bhudia said “All in all, the speeches from our pupils filled us with nothing but pride on this special day. The voice from today’s women of Dagenham was held strong and we have every faith in them to keep the fight for equality alive through the generations to come. Well done to everyone who was involved and I am sure this will be a day nobody will forget!"
This was certainly a day that will be etched in the minds of all staff and students at Robert Clack for many years to come. The atmosphere around the school was electric. Here are a few quotes from some of the students: “I never expected to have such an honour of meeting a royal, but there I was at Robert Clack School meeting one of the most special and important people today” Fabio Petraru “We were all waiting at our tables and then we saw Meghan Markle through a window the teachers forgot to cover! I was honestly so excited because I was getting this once in a lifetime opportunity” Ula Lapinskaite “It was amazing. We were all screaming and crying in excitement. Seeing Meghan Markle inspired me to try harder and be the best me I can be” Popina Brennan
Head Teacher Russell Taylor reflected on the day saying, “The visit of The Duchess of Sussex was a truly great moment in the history of Robert Clack School. As I listened to the wonderful speeches given by Renee, Rhyanna, and Olivia during the assembly, I found myself feeling overcome with emotion. All I could think was: this is what Robert Clack School is about. This visit wasn’t about one individual; it was about us, all of us, working together as one for the benefit of all. I’m sure you have seen the media coverage of Meghan’s visit and I’m sure, like me, you cannot fail to have noticed the look of shock, exuberance, and unadulterated joy on our pupils’ faces. Meghan told our pupils - girls and boys - that they matter, that they have a voice and that they should use it. What a powerful message!
And the response on social media has been nothing short of extraordinary, with so many people from all over the world commenting on our “amazing” pupils. I feel exceptionally proud and privileged to be a part of our community; I hope they all do too.”
A huge thank you to everyone involved in the visit, especially our staff and wonderful students. Special mentions to our VIPs, Ian Pittaway, Geraldine Dear, the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, Peter Chand and his wife Ginger, Chief Executive of LBBD, Chris Naylor, and Leader of the Council, Darren Rodwell. It was certainly a memorable day for us all!
Dr Lara Akinnawonu (class of 2017) joined a group of our Year 9 Lymington Fields students today via Teams students to share her experiences of working in medicine. During the session, she gave students an insight into a “day in the life of a doctor”, explaining that the role is varied, fast-paced, and filled with constant learning. She also spoke about the key skills that make a good doctor, highlighting the importance of strong communication, empathy, and a commitment to continually developing knowledge and understanding. Thank you to Dr Lara for taking the time to inspire our students and give them a valuable glimpse into a career in healthcare.
Yesterday, the Year 8 boys competed in the annual Essex 7s tournament hosted by New Hall School. Robert Clack faced three tough fixtures in the main Cup competition, beating Brentwood and Westcliff, drawing against King John, and narrowly losing to Campion. This performance saw the Year 8s progress to the Cup semi-final against a strong Woodlands side. Robert Clack delivered an outstanding performance, securing a 20–10 victory. The boys then advanced to the final against a strong Campion team. It was a highly competitive game throughout, with the score 5–5 at half-time and 10–10 at full-time. A golden try was needed to decide the winner. Unfortunately, Campion scored first, meaning they were crowned overall champions, with Robert Clack finishing as worthy runners-up. Well done to the boys on a well-earned achievement. Compared to last year, when they did not win a single group game, this represents excellent progress. Outstanding work!
We were proud to welcome back former student Jack Cooper to speak with our Year 9 cohort about his journey into the construction industry via Teams. After leaving Sixth Form in 2025, Jack secured a degree apprenticeship with The Hill Group, where he now works as a Technical Coordinator. He shared valuable insight into the apprenticeship route, highlighting how subject choices, extracurricular involvement, and developing transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication and resilience helped prepare him for the workplace. Students were particularly interested in hearing about his day-to-day role — from reviewing plans and liaising with teams to solving on-site challenges — as well as how he balances university study alongside hands-on industry experience as part of his degree apprenticeship. Jack also spoke about the impact of our partnerships with organisations such as Construction Youth Trust, which provide mentoring and support for students pursuing careers in construction. His journey is a fantastic example of the diverse and rewarding pathways available after school. We are incredibly grateful to Jack for returning to inspire the next generation — and we look forward to seeing many more students follow in his footsteps.
This half term, the Robert Clack Senior Debate Squad had the opportunity to visit the local primary school, Grafton, to participate in a Q&A session and deliver a showcase debate. The motion considered whether primary or secondary school provides a better environment for children’s development. The teams were mixed, allowing the older students to mentor the younger pupils. Well done to all Grafton and Robert Clack students who took part. We look forward to visiting again in the future.
On Thursday 13 th February we held the final presentations of our Sixth Form Entrepreneur Academy — Dragon’s Den style — and our students absolutely delivered. The brief: Create a product or service for 16–21 year olds that could be used by college or university students. It could be an invention or an innovation, tailored to a specific audience, with full cost research and a clear business case. The results? Innovative ideas. Professional presentations. Exceptional teamwork. 🏆 Winners: Imperium – an inventive mobile banking app designed specifically for the student market. A genuinely original concept, clearly aligned to the needs of their target audience. 🥈 Runners-up: Magniglasses – a smart glasses concept with a more affordable, accessible design. A brilliant example of innovation with commercial awareness. Every team impressed our judges with: • The quality of their ideas • Confident, professional pitching • Strong market research and costings • Clear marketing strategies It was fantastic to see many teams applying insights from our guest speakers — and even incorporating Out of Home advertising into their marketing plans following their visit to Bauer Media Group . A huge thank you to our volunteers and judges who generously gave up their time to support and challenge our students. The future of entrepreneurship is in very safe hands.
It’s always fantastic to see our students thinking ambitiously about their futures. Recently, Year 12 student MP shared her aspiration to become a Social Worker and asked whether Mrs Monk could connect her with a former student working in the field. Mrs Monk immediately reached out to Nanah Kamara who was more than happy to help. Nanah left Robert Clack in 2019 and, after completing her undergraduate degree, is now a fully qualified Social Worker. A meeting was set up via Teams on Wednesday 11th February, and MP came exceptionally well prepared — asking thoughtful, probing questions about relevant work experience, degree structure, and the training involved in qualifying as a Social Worker. A huge thank you to Nanah for giving up her time to support the next generation and for being such a positive role model for our students. Moments like this truly show the power of our alumni network.
On January the 28th, 340 of our most able Mathematicians took part in the UKMT Intermediate challenge. The challenge is a national competition where our students get to compete with the best Mathematicians in the country. The challenge has students utilise their mathematical reasoning and fluency in using the basic mathematical techniques learned from school to solve unique and interesting questions and challenges on the paper. The problems on the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge promote critical thinking skills, often making pupils apply their knowledge in unfamiliar ways in order to solve a problem. Our results have just come in and we had 82 Bronze awards, 36 Silver awards and an amazing 9 Gold awards. To put this into context, only 11% of entrants achieve the Gold awards nationally. A special mention to Abisman Rajakumar for achieving the highest in the school and David Karpovych for the highest in Year 9. They, along with 5 others, will have the opportunity to go into the follow-on Kangaroo round for the elite Mathematicians in the country. Mr Rahman, Ms Hibbit & Ms Tahir
This season George in year 11 has been the starting Goalkeeper in the county under 16 schools football team. The Essex team are enjoying a particularly successful season, they are currently awaiting their national cup quarter final away in Devon which is due to take place this month. Georges involvement is no surprise to the PE department, he is an outstanding all round sports man who is not only our goalkeeper, but also a key part of the Athletics, Cricket and Rugby team. Well done George and good luck in the next round.
On a wet and windy afternoon on the 5 th February the Year 11 Rugby team travelled to the Essex/Cambridgeshire border to play Joyce Frankland Academy in the Essex Cup ¼ final. On a pitch that was heavy in places and swamp like in others this was always going to be a game for the purists and running Rugby a tough ask. However, after a period of early pressure from Joyce Frankland and a vocal local crowd from the adjacent astro turf the Robert Clack boys certainly knew they were in for a battle. This plus some strong carries and tackles from their strong centre acted as a wake-up call to our boys. They started to take a hold of the game and some strong forward play combined with slick back play which was testament to the boys considering the conditions led to us scoring 3 quick tries and taking the sting out of the home team. Being up 20-5 at halftime the boys started the second half quite slowly and this led to the home team getting their tails up again and scoring a penalty try to make the game closer that is should be. Robert Clack then scored again to take the game out of sight and secure the place in the semi final where local rivals Campion await which will be an incredibly tough test but one that we will give 100% to. The boys involved in this game were excellent ambassadors for the school and conducted themselves with respect throughout which at times was put to the test so testament to them and the way the Robert Clack values show through in this group.
This term in Year 4, the children have been very busy learning all about the Anglo-Saxons. In reading lessons, they have thoroughly enjoyed following the adventures of the main character, Oslaf, in our class text Winter of the Wolves. In History, the children have been learning about Anglo-Saxon conquests and how England was once divided into seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. They have also learnt about the achievements of the Anglo-Saxon king, Alfred the Great and how Christianity first spread in England during this time. Our Science and Design and Technology learning have been closely linked, with children exploring electrical circuits and how electricity works. As part of this, they designed and made their own electrical circuits using simple circuits. In RE, the children have been learning about Hinduism and how Hindus worship. To deepen their understanding, they visited the London Sri Murugan Temple in Ilford, where they were able to see a wide range of Hindu statues and artefacts. The children learned about different deities and the reasons why Hindus pray to them. This valuable experience gave the children a deeper insight into their learning about Hinduism.