Diversity Days 2025
On Wednesday 10th December, Naz Legacy Foundation hosted an inspiring Diversity Day at the Bush Theatre, allowing 19 students to experience theatre from on stage, behind the scenes and beyond.
Students from Alec Reed Academy and Eastbrook School participated in interactive theatre-making workshops that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and self-expression. They ended the afternoon watching a performance of After Sunday, an emotive and engaging story of friendship and the healing power of food.
A behind-the-scenes tour introduced students to the wide range of career pathways within theatre, from technical production to stage management, highlighting roles that are often unseen but vital to the industry.
A huge thank you to Holly Smith and the fantastic team at Bush Theatre, and to Spice Village for keeping us fed and energised throughout the day!
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On Tuesday 18th November, Naz Legacy and 30 students dived into an action-packed Diversity Day with the Royal Navy!
Students from Al-Risalah School, Madani Girls School and Forest Academy attended our Diversity Day. From knot-tying to navigation, students got hands-on with challenges that tested their teamwork, survival and problem-solving skills – giving them a real taste of life at sea.
After refuelling with a delicious hot meal from Spice Village, the day wrapped up with an inspiring careers session that opened students’ eyes to the wide range of opportunities within the Royal Navy.
A huge thank you to Richard Gray, Shynesh Siddharthan and the fantastic team HMS President for hosting and to Spice Village for keeping everyone so well fed!
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On Monday 17th November, Naz Legacy Foundation took 60 students from Jamiatul Ummah School, Lantern of Knowledge and Eastbrook School to the prestigious Queen Mary University of London for an inspiring Diversity Day visit.
The day began with an introductory talk by Bushra Nasir CBE DL, Chair of the Naz Legacy Foundation and alumnus of the university. This was followed by an engaging networking session with current students from the university about student life and the wide range of facilities at QMUL. Professionals from PwC also joined the day, sharing insights into the exciting opportunities available to students at the university.
Students then embarked on a guided campus tour with QMUL’s student ambassadors – exploring different departments, the Library and the Students’ Union while learning about the diverse courses on offer. A lively Q&A session with current students gave them the chance to hear first-hand about university life and academic experiences.
After lunch, the group listened to a lively presentation led by Dr Ishani Chandrasekara, Professor of Accounting Education. The session gave students a real feel for university-style learning – from exploring the benefits of taking part in the Flying Start Programme to understanding what to expect from higher education studies.
A huge thank you to Ishani Chandrasekara and the fantastic team at Queen Mary University of London for hosting such an insightful and inspiring day!
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The day began with an interactive workshop, where students explored the historical context of the Holocaust by engaging with various sources and deepened their understanding through discussion and critical reflection.
They then embarked on a powerful journey through the exhibition galleries, gaining insight into the devastating impact of Hitler’s actions and the atrocities of the Holocaust and WWII. The visit encouraged students to reflect on the importance of empathy, tolerance and standing up against hate in all its forms.
Our Year 9 students shared how the experience brought their classroom studies to life, making history feel more real and relevant than ever. The day concluded with a delicious lunch, kindly provided by Spice Village.
A heartfelt thank you to the Imperial War Museum for hosting such an eye-opening experience, to our brilliant students for their thoughtful engagement, and to Spice Village for generously providing lunch, your support made the day even more special!
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The day began with an inspiring introduction to higher education, exploring key topics such as student finance, the requirements for various courses and the different pathways available into university. Students then took part in a lively Q&A panel with current St Anne’s undergraduates who shared their personal journeys and experiences of life at Oxford.
Afterwards, students enjoyed a guided tour of the stunning St Anne’s campus, followed by a speed-networking event, where ambassadors spoke about everything from academic life to societies, extracurriculars and making the most of university life.
The day wrapped up with an engaging taster lecture on Greek mythology, giving students a true feel for what it’s like to study at one of the world’s leading universities.
A huge thank you to the incredible Outreach Team at St Anne’s College for hosting such a meaningful day and to the COSARAF Charitable Foundation for their generous support in making this opportunity possible.
Together, we’re helping young people dream bigger, aim higher and believe in their potential.
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This was followed by a useful talk on student finance, helping students understand the application process and the support available.
Students then toured the campus with the Goldsmiths ambassadors, exploring key spaces like the Library and Richard Hoggart Building.
After a lovely lunch, the day wrapped up with a networking session where students met Goldsmiths students & staff, gaining first-hand insights into uni life and the courses on offer.
A massive thank you to Samia and the amazing Goldsmiths team for hosting such an inspiring & impactful day for our young people!
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On 9th July, the Naz Legacy Foundation had the pleasure of taking 24 Year 12 students from Alec Reed Academy and Eastbrook School to visit the offices of Norton Rose Fulbright.
The day began with a high-energy icebreaker for everyone to get to know each other better and talking, followed by a guided tour of the impressive workspace – a place that radiates ambition and innovation at every turn.
Next up was a dynamic careers networking session, where students engaged with a wide range of professionals from departments such as Corporate and Banking and Finance. They gained first-hand insights into diverse career journeys and learned valuable tips about building confidence, resilience and seizing the opportunities available to them.
But the real highlight was a hands-on negotiation exercise that pushed students to think critically, collaborate effectively and present their ideas to a panel of judges. It was amazing to see their creativity, teamwork and confidence shine through!
A huge thank you to Natasha Gada and the incredible team at Norton Rose Fulbright for welcoming us so warmly and investing in the next generation of leaders.
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We were also delighted to be joined by two inspiring guests who supported the day: Iman Sayam from the Nas Foundation and Naz Asghar from Action For Humanity.
Led by the brilliant Sarah Waterman and Jayne Gould students got a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the magic of opera, including an exclusive viewing of a live rehearsal!
After a delicious lunch kindly provided by Spice Village, we explored the fascinating departments that bring each performance to life — from costume and wigs to dye work, set design and stage management.
To top it all off, students took part in a Q&A with members of the Royal Opera House management team, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable insights into the many career paths within the arts and culture sector.
A huge thank you to the fantastic team at the Royal Opera House for your hospitality and dedication to inspiring the next generation!
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On Wednesday 30th April, in partnership with the University of Warwick, Naz Legacy Foundation accompanied 24 students from Alec Reed Academy, Forest Academy and Lantern of Knowledge for a bespoke university experience.
The day began with a presentation from Sian Bolton introducing students to life at Warwick and the university’s various facilities. This was followed by a lively Q&A session with current Warwick students, who shared their own experiences of university life, studies and answered questions from our group.
After lunch, students had a guided campus tour with Warwick’s student ambassadors. Students had the chance to explore different departments, the Student Union and learn about the wide range of courses on offer.
To wrap up the day, students took part in an academic taster session led by Dr Katie Reeves and from the Cross-Faculty Studies team. The first half of the interactive session gave students a real insight into how university lectures work by learning about volcanoes and even included conducting a test on how different lava behaves! The second half addressed what to expect from academic learning at a higher education level.
A big thank you to the brilliant team at Warwick University for facilitating such a beneficial experience and to The COSARAF Charitable Foundation for making days like this possible!
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On Thursday 24th April, 45 girls from Madani Girls School, Azhar Academy and Forest Academy had an unforgettable day out at Wembley Stadium with the Naz Legacy Foundation! 🏟️
As the UK’s biggest sports venue (and second-biggest in Europe!) Wembley Stadium was the perfect place to explore what it’s like to work behind the scenes in football.
The girls heard from the amazing leaders: Jayla Jackson, Anisha Hill, Hina Shafi, Davina Adesanya and Keah Forino-Joseph who shared what it’s really like to build a career in sports.
They also received a special backstage tour of the stadium – learning fun facts and seeing parts of Wembley most people never get to see!
One of the most exciting moments? Meeting Rachel Yankey, OBE – The Lioness legend and one of the most decorated players in women’s football! Rachel engaged with our students in a Q&A, where they got to quiz her about her life journey and what it takes to make it in the industry. She shared her story, took photos with the girls and left everyone feeling truly inspired.
A big thank you to Rachel Pavlou and the amazing team at Wembley for making it such a memorable day!
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On Thursday 3rd April, students from Caterham School and Jamiatul Ummah School joined the Naz Legacy Foundation for an exciting trip outside of London, to the prestigious Downing College at Cambridge University.
The day was led by SCLOs Rubie McDermott and Ellen. We received a warm welcome and introduction to Cambridge University, followed by a speed-networking session. During this, students had the chance to connect with student ambassadors from Downing College, who shared insights into their academic journeys and experiences at university.
After a delicious lunch, we were privileged to hear from Dr. Kamran Yunus, the university’s admissions officer, who delivered an inspiring talk on the application process and student finance.
We were also joined by Tariq Raja, strategic adviser for The COSARAF Charitable Foundation who offered invaluable advice and words of wisdom to our students, along with Downing College alumnus Alex Davis, who shared his career journey and insights into life after university.
The day culminated in a fascinating session at the Sedgwick Museum, where students learned how studying fossils and past extinction events can help us understand the current climate emergency. This thought-provoking experience provided a deeper understanding of the challenges we face today and how studying the past can inform our future.
The day concluded with a guided tour of the college grounds, where students explored the impressive facilities available to Downing College residents.
A huge thank you to Rubie, Ellen and the incredible team at Downing College for making this day so memorable and a special thanks to COSARAF for making enriching experiences like this possible!
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The Naz Legacy Foundation took a group of 30 students from Madani Girls, Ursuline High School and Lantern of Knowledge Muslim Boys’ School to the iconic Royal Albert Hall yesterday!
The first part of the day consisted of an introductory session covering the history of the Royal Albert Hall, its unique aspects and the different types of events it hosts.
This was followed by an exclusive ‘backstage’ tour of the Royal Albert Hall, allowing students to gain insights into how different departments keep the charity running and experience some of the Hall’s hidden gems. Students also saw the Royal Box up close, which was first purchased by Queen Victoria in 1871. So many amazing facts were shared during this interactive tour!
Students were given the chance to explore various career paths within the performing arts sector. Representatives from the Marketing, Events and Production teams shared their personal career journeys, offering invaluable advice on selecting subjects and gaining practical work experience. Students had the opportunity to ask lots of questions!
The day came to an end with a group activity led by one of the Duty Managers. The task involved students working together and using their problem-solving skills to tackle a historical real-life emergency that had happened at the Royal Albert Hall before.
A massive thank you to the amazing team at Royal Albert Hall for hosting such an exciting and informative Diversity Day!
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On Thurday 6th March, students from Alec Reed Academy, Lampton School and Caterham High School had an amazing opportunity to step into the world of business at KPMG in Canary Wharf. The day started off with an inspiring talk by Bano Sheikh, a partner at KPMG, who shared her career journey and what her role entails.
As part of the day, students took on a real challenge—developing and pitching a business idea which provided keen insight into KPMG’s work. The students were presented with a variety of case studies and worked through researching various sources to pick out key information. They compared the case studies and presented the one they thought would be the best investment. This allowed students to grow their confidence in public speaking and teamwork. Huge congratulations to all the teams for their creativity and confidence!
Beyond the competition, students had the chance to network with KMPG professionals who gave them invaluable insights into the diverse career pathways at KPMG and helped them with their interview skills.
A huge thank you to the brilliant team at KPMG for hosting and supporting this impactful Diversity Day!
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On Friday 29th February, Naz Legacy took a group of 30 students from Azhar Academy, Al-Khair Secondary School and Eastbrook School to visit the prestigious London College of Fashion, University of Arts London for our Diversity Day.
The day started with a lively Q&A session with current students that helped gain insights into university life and career paths in the creative industry. UAL students showcased their incredible pieces, sparking great enthusiasm among the students.
After a tour of the recently built college, students immersed themselves in an interactive textile workshop led by Rafin Jannat exploring the art of creating natural dyes. Students also assessed the implications of using natural dyes on the environment. The students’ creativity and passion for textiles truly shone through!
A huge thank you to the amazing team at the University of the Arts London who made this memorable Diversity Day possible!
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From exploring behind-the-scenes magic to stepping into the spotlight, students got hands-on experience in theatre production and performance. An interactive workshop helped them develop teamwork skills while discovering the many roles—both on and off stage—that bring a production to life!
A huge thank you to the amazing team at Bush Theatre for hosting us and to Spice Village for the delicious meals that kept us going!
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On Wednesday 29th January Naz Legacy took 40 incredible students from Forest Academy, Lantern of Knowledge, Jammiatul Ummah, and Alec Reed Academy on an amazing adventure to the historic Tower of London!
The day was filled with engaging activities that inspired and engaged in various ways. One of the highlights was a fantastic workshop hosted by Fusion, where students had the opportunity to explore themes of diversity and belonging. Students were given the chance to share the poems they had written with their peers. It was wonderful to see the young minds coming together, learning from one another, and participating in meaningful discussions.
After the engaging workshop, we had the chance to explore the Tower of London on our own! Students enjoyed wandering the historic castle and were especially amazed by the breathtaking Crown Jewels.
In the afternoon, students participated in a career session led by current apprentices from diverse backgrounds, who shared their stories and insights. This inspiring discussion encouraged our students to consider various career paths and the importance of diversity in the workplace.
A huge thank you to Historic Royal Palaces and BMT for making this Diversity Day possible. And of course, a massive shoutout to Spice Village for the delicious lunch that fueled our fun!
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On Tuesday 21st January, students from Forest Academy, Lantern of Knowledge and Madani Girls School joined us in visiting the Holocaust Galleries at the Imperial War Museum for an insightful educational experience.
The visit involved an interactive workshop that delved deeply into the historical context and expanded the students’ knowledge and understanding. It was a great opportunity for students to engage in critical discussions and ask relevant questions.
Students then had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a unique and educational journey through time presented in the exhibition galleries. They were able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of Hitler’s actions and the devastating atrocities of the Holocaust. The visit aimed to foster empathy and promote a meaningful reflection on this dark chapter in history. The Year 9 students expressed the impact of this visit in bringing their current studies of this area of history to life.
A huge thank you to the staff at the Imperial War Museum for facilitating an eye-opening experience and to the students for engaging so well in the day and playing such an active role in discussions.
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