22 February 2024
OL delivers Goldhawk talk on ‘Identity’
Paula Riordan (OL 1990) was invited to deliver a Goldhawk talk to the Lower and Upper Sixth Form students about ‘identity’ during our Diversity Week.
Paula talked about identity and the qualities, beliefs and personality traits that characterises a person or a group. Explaining how various pieces of ourselves can tell us who we are and what we like, as well as the various types of identities we possess; persona, social and cultural identity.
After leaving John Lyon, she studied BSc Estate Management, PGCE in Secondary Education, MSc Educational Leadership & Management. After graduating she trained and qualified as a RICS Surveyor and Valuer whilst working in the evenings as a part-time youth worker for LB Brent and then went on to retrain as a secondary school teacher.
She is currently working towards a PhD in Social Anthropology, as well as being the Principle at The Guild for Lifelong Learning FE College; Chair of Governors of an LA Primary School, sits on the Education sub-committee for the Local Safeguarding Adults Board, and the Diversity & Inclusion advisor for CCF (RAF) Air Cadets.
We provide a wide range of sporting activities and opportunities for all pupils.
At our Prep School we concur with educational theorists who emphasise the importance of the creative mind and ‘emotional intelligence’ and ‘wellbeing’ – the need to develop the whole personality and our pupil’s imaginations especially. Drama has the power to liberate the mind.
We encourage our pupils to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. 
At our Prep School, Computing covers the use of electronic technology in all its forms, including computers and other communication devices.
• What is religion?
Art is an integral part of our Prep School’s curriculum, providing our pupils with a unique means of expressing their ideas by allowing them to explore new thoughts and give life to their creative minds.
History is taught throughout the School and pupils are encouraged to find out about events and peoples.
Planet Earth is our only home. It is an mind-blowing, diverse and constantly changing place of awesome beauty and power. 
French is the language of our nearest neighbours, probably the easiest foreign language for English speakers to learn and, after English, one of the most widely-learned languages worldwide.
The core of every science lesson at our Prep School is about developing every pupil’s curiosity in the world around them. 
Mathematics is a key subject for children of all ages at our Prep School.
English is taught using lively and creative methods through a variety of texts and resources incorporating ICT from Pre-Prep onwards.