Today we opened the doors of the Performing Arts Centre to three reformed convicts and a forensic psychologist who visited to talk about their crimes and “life behind bars”.

We were delighted to be joined by around 50 pupils from Ark Academy, London Academy of Excellence and Northolt High.

The forensic psychologist discussed her work within prison systems, such as prisoner risk assessments and students were given a no-holds barred insight into life in prison (even getting an opportunity to try prison uniforms for size).

Afterwards, there were Q&A sessions with the reformed convicts about their crimes and incarceration.

The day of workshops was aimed at Years 12 and 13 students (many of whom study Psychology at A Level) but also included a number of Year 10 students who had earned their place at the event by writing an essay titled: “The purpose of prison is punishment – discuss”.