On 22 March, high-profile poet Lemn Sissay visited Christ’s Hospital to inspire pupils from Year 12 and Year 10 with a talk and reading from his book. Lemn Sissay is an award-winning author and broadcaster and one of the most celebrated poets in the UK. He was awarded an MBE for services to literature by the Queen and was the official poet of the 2012 London Olympics.
Sissay spoke compellingly about his youth in care and kept his audience enthralled from beginning to end with his magnifying presence. He recited two of his most popular poems, and read excerpts from his book ‘My Name is Why’, the powerful and inspiring account of his journey from neglect and despair to artistic and cultural recognition. During his talk, he mentioned how much it meant to him to visit Christ’s Hospital – whose alumni include the poet Coleridge – because of the school’s history of providing an education to less privileged children, including those in care.
‘When I first read Lemn Sissay’s book, I was not only amazed because of how extraordinary his story was, but I also felt that I could relate to his experience about things which I have struggled myself to talk about and understand,’ said Summer, a Year 12 pupil from CH.
‘Lemn’s visit inspired me to find out more about who I am and reassured me that my circumstances don’t define me.’
Categories: Christ's Hospital School
