What is Herts Voices?
Herts Voices is an inspirational volunteer speakers programme which connects schools in the county with speakers from racially diverse backgrounds, many of whom have connections with Hertfordshire. Our programme is ideally suited to pupils across all primary and secondary school years, from Year 1 to Year 13, and delivered by a speaker who has been carefully selected to meet the specific needs, interests, aims and requirements of the school.
Each talk lasts for between 30 and 60 minutes and is delivered at a suitable time for pupils and staff by the speaker with the intention to deliver powerful, motivational content that educates and inspires.
Our speakers are committed to the HFL Education programme and participate fully in our selection and safeguarding processes.
Since the programme began, Herts Voices has worked with over 60 schools and reached 1,500 pupils who have benefitted from talks. Our speakers deliver inspiring talks for primary and secondary schools that are trying to increase racial diversity within their setting and hear from a wider range of people with diverse lived experiences.
Our speakers deliver inspiring talks for primary and secondary schools that are trying to increase racial diversity within their setting and hear from a wider range of people with diverse lived experiences.
Would you like to get involved with the Herts Voices programme?
If you’d like to know more or find out how to book or register with us, please email us on hertsvoices@hfleducation.org or contact the Wellbeing team on wellbeing@hfleducation.org
Herts Voices Big Talks
Our 3rd Big Talk with Evelyn Forde MBE
Herts Voices held their 3rd Big Talk with guest, Evelyn Forde MBE on Wednesday 9th October 2024 at Nobel School, Stevenage.
Evelyn Forde MBE was the Winner of the TES Headteacher of the Year Award in 2020, ASCL President 2022-23 and she will be publishing her first book ‘Herstory: A Leadership Manifesto’, in October. Evelyn’s talk will focus on her personal journey, triumphs, resilience and dreams.
Previous ‘Big Talks’ with Gary Younge and Tim Armoo
Gary Younge with HFL Race Equality Adviser Toks Olusamokun, founder of Herts Voices.
In November 2023, the second ‘Herts Voices Big Talk’ took place at Peartree Spring Primary School. Gary Younge is an author, journalist, broadcaster and professor.
There were 240 Year 5 and 6 pupils from 6 different schools who heard Gary talk about his upbringing in Stevenage, his experiences as a journalist and some of the famous people he has interviewed during his career such as Maya Angelou and Stormzy.
Several pupils enjoyed the opportunity to ask Gary questions about his life and career.
In October 2022, Tim Armoo delivered an inspiring speech about the power of motivation and commitment in the face of adversity with a Q&A session.
Tim is the winner of the coveted Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 award at the Tech Achievement Awards.
This was for a Year 9-13 audience at Marriott’s Secondary School in Stevenage.
Herts Voices - what is expected and what are the benefits for you as a school?
All our participating schools are expected to complete a registration form process, build a relationship with their speaker and, in collaboration with Herts Voices, coordinate arrangements for the talk.
You and your pupils will benefit from hearing about the experiences of people from a variety of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds who have achieved notable successes. Their stories and powerful messages act as reinforcement of positive messaging around positive attitude, freedom of choice, and the resilience necessary to fulfil individual potential.
What did your students enjoy most about the talk? “Feeling represented and being offered a role model that they could relate to as well as the encouragement for them to be aspirational.
Evaluation response
Thank you for the opportunity to support with this. Such a privilege.
Quote from a speaker
Thank you so much for putting together the launch event today. My students really got a lot out of it and some were even planning on the way back how to start up their own tutoring business "just like Tim".
Quote from a head of department who attended the launch event
Find out more
If you’d like to know more about our Herts Voices programme of inspiring school talks by successful high achievers from a range of diverse backgrounds, or to find out how to book or register with us, please email us on hertsvoices@hfleducation.org , or contact the Wellbeing team on the contact details below.
Find out more about HFL Education's race equity and anti racism services
Disclaimer:
HFL Education (formerly Herts for Learning) is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child, to help them flourish and reach their full potential. With hundreds of advisers and subject experts in house, HFL Education is a trusted partner to education and learning professionals across the country, providing a unique and comprehensive offer to every school and setting – all in one place.
HFL’s Wellbeing Team supports school leaders on sensitive and complex issues concerning individuals and groups with protected characteristics. HFL Education advisers offer guidance informed by DfE regulations, including those on political neutrality, bias, and curriculum content, while also considering the school's legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Ultimately, school leaders are responsible for making the final decisions that best suit their school communities.