16/05/2026
Thank you for inviting me back - how proud must you be of the different groups of children in this school. Honestly, epic!
I spoke to an older group of kids yesterday, year 9 & 10 and I have to adjust what I talk about slightly.
Kids are honest, and they will show you and tell you if something isn’t landing - which is quite refreshing.
I spoke a lot about gratitude and how lucky they are to be in this classroom, have books on the shelves, speak to teachers everyday, go home at the weekend and do work or play - and everything in between. They were shocked when I mentioned girls in Afghanistan currently can’t leave their homes atm - and schools have been closed ‘temporarily’ for no reason.
I then talk about how at some schools, in the UK, kids are so grateful for a free book or even time away from home.
We spoke about fears, failures, our purpose but also where they wanted to travel to - my favourite topic!
At the end I offer anyone a free copy of The Girl and Her Globe, and hopefully by that point I’ve heard from everyone, so that I can write a personalised message.
One girl right at the end, as I signed her book said to me, thank you for visiting today, your talk was inspiring and I’ve never seen anyone like me, speak about stuff you spoke about today’
The best questions happen post the session, what I’ve spoken takes a while to resonate and then I get…
“If I wanted to start a business what’s your advice?”
“If I don’t want to go to university what should I do next?”
“What were your biggest dreams at school?”
“I’m nervous about Mocks, what if I fail?”
“Will you write another book?”
And this is why I’m doing this, I want to educate 1 million girls globally - but bringing boys on that journey is just as important.
You have to do grassroot work to really see the impact.
So I thank you again for teaching young people day in day out.