Lucky pupils enjoy private film premiere

Oldham Academy North pupils at a screening of Hidden Figures hosted by Manchester United Foundation

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PUPILS from two Oldham Schools attended a girls-only premiere of the Oscar-nominated movie Hidden Figures.

The event at the Trafford Centre Odeon was aimed at girls aged 11 to 15 who are interested science, technology, engineering and maths - the so-called STEM subjects.

It was organised by the Manchester United Foundation, which works with 20 schools in the region to run projects to inspire and help young people to reach their potential.

A total of 17 pupils from Waterhead Academy and Oldham Academy North enjoyed the film which tells the story of three brilliant African-American women who were the brains behind the NASA programme to send astronaut John Glenn into orbit. It has been credited with helping to inspire more young women to do STEM subjects.

The private screening also included a question and answer session with a panel of inspirational women.

Countdown presenter and maths expert Rachel Riley was among them and said: "It's brilliant that Manchester United Foundation actually gets involved and goes into schools - they don't just say the right things, they make things happen.

"The girls received an opportunity to attend a UK premiere of a really uplifting and inspirational film and they got to speak to women who are working the industry who they can aspire to be like. We're not just talking about football, we're talking about maths, science and trying to improve people's lives on a very real basis and I think it's brilliant."

Waterhead Academy pupil Kainaat Amjid added: "Biology, chemistry and physics are my main interests at school because I want to go into dentistry. These subjects can also really help with wider job options.

"I think the panellists were really inspirational because they gave their own personal stories about how they started in their industry. Some of them were discouraged because they are women and the jobs are predominantly seen as being for men. For them to have amazing careers where they are very much in control is very inspirational.

"I loved the film. At that time it was unknown for black women to have a high level of education. Even when they did, they were still put down because of their skin colour so they worked even harder to succeed, which is amazing."

Hidden Figures is released in UK cinemas on February 17 and has been nominated for the best picture Oscar.