By Mrs Inkson (Head of Year 6)

On Friday 9th May, Year 6 had the privilege of meeting two very special visitors - Leah Caleb and Chris Lockwood, two of the original Lost Lionesses who represented England in the 1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico.

They shared their fascinating experiences of travelling to Mexico as teenagers, just 13 and 15 years old, and playing in front of crowds of over 100,000 people. One of the most memorable stories was how, when they arrived at the airport in Mexico, they were amazed to see huge crowds waiting. At first, they thought a celebrity must be on the plane, but then realised the welcome was for them!

The girls listened with great interest as Leah and Chris described what it was like to train, compete and represent their country at such a young age. They also learned about the challenges the players faced. At the time, the Football Association did not support women’s football, and as a direct result of them having played in this tournament, the girls on the team were banned from playing football when they returned home.

The session ended with an opportunity for the girls to ask questions. The Year 6 pupils asked insightful questions and showed real curiosity and respect. It was a truly inspiring afternoon with the girls leaving feeling motivated to follow their passions and stand up for what they believe in.

We are very grateful to Leah and Chris for coming in to share their story.

A new film called Copa 71 tells the remarkable story of the tournament and the disappointment that followed. It is available to watch on BBC iPlayer here.