Stuart Lawrence will be speaking at school event in honour of Stephen Lawrence’s legacy

Stuart Lawrence, the brother of Stephen Lawrence, will be one of the speakers when a girls’ school holds a special series of events to mark the first Stephen Lawrence day.

James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) is holding a week of events to celebrate Stephen’s legacy from April 29 to May 3.

This will include a programme of talks, lessons and events that explore themes such as justice, legal reforms, living in diverse societies and celebrating creativity and aspirations.

Stephen Lawrence was born and grew up in Eltham but was murdered aged 18 in an unprovoked racist attack on April 22, 1993.

A public inquiry into the handling of Stephen’s case was held in 1998, leading to the publication of the Macpherson Report, which has been called “one of the most important moments in the modern history of criminal justice in Britain,” and led to profound cultural changes to attitudes on racism, to the law and police practice.

The school will welcome a variety of speakers during the week.

Stuart Lawrence, Stephen’s brother, will lead assemblies for both the prep and senior schools, and Dulwich & West Norwood MP Helen Hayes will also be speaking to pupils about Stephen’s legacy.

Headmistress Sally-Anne Huang said: “Now, more than ever, it is important that young people learn about Stephen Lawrence’s legacy – the strive to ‘Live Our Best Life’ and the need to challenge racism and to value diversity.

“It has been an inspirational experience to collaborate with the Stephen Lawrence Trust in contributing to the nationwide teaching resources.

“Our head of politics, Dr Mark Fowle, has made a significant contribution to creating and reviewing the resources which are accessible to all age groups and provide teachers with the vital background to the key messages that are central to Stephen’s story and the lessons that can be learnt from it.

“The celebration of Stephen’s life, while demonstrating social awareness and education at its best, has been a hugely rewarding and joyful opportunity for our pupils.”

Criminal Barrister Karen Walton will be running a session about Stephen Lawrence and the law. There will also be an own clothes day, where pupils will be encouraged to wear something orange to remember Stephen as this was his favourite colour.

All donations received will go towards the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. Other activities include creating an art memorial in Stephen’s memory, reviewing landmark legal cases, studying the Windrush Generation and exploring Chris Ofili’s portrait of Doreen Lawrence, ‘No Woman, No Cry.’

JAGS head of politics Dr Mark Fowle has helped create and review resources for schools across the country to learn of Stephen’s legacy.

The resources, which include lesson plans and ideas for assemblies, are accessible to all age groups and provide teachers with the vital background to the key messages that are central to Stephen’s story and the lessons that can be learnt from it.