Paula Riordan (OL 1990) was invited to deliver a talk to the Lower and Upper Sixth Form students about 'identity' during Diversity Week.

Paula was invited as a speaker to the weekly Goldhawk Lecture, and delivered a thought-provoking talk about the qualities, beliefs, personality traits that characterises a person or a group. She explained to students about the various pieces of ourselves that tell us who we are, what we like and elements of ourselves that others use to decide who we are and what we are actually like. She also spoke about the various types of identities we possess; persona, social and cultural identity.

Both students and staff are grateful to Paula who travelled from Cheshire to be part of this event.

Paula has commendable background - she is currently 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.

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.  Paula is currently working towards a Phd in Social Anthropology.