Four Hackney schoolgirls flew off to America last week share their political experiences at a community organising conference in Harvard.

Priscilla Boonin, Gabriela Dadzie, Ebony Harding and Inez Sarkodee-Adoo from Our Lady’s Convent High School in Amhurst Park were invited to talk because of their work with community group London Citizens.

Their school snapped up its School of the Year award this year, for their work creating Citysafe zones for young people in the borough, improving bus safety and campaigning for a living wage for Olympic workers.

“The students from Our Lady’s Convent High School shared with an international audience how hungry they are for power and justice in our neighbourhoods,” said London Citizens’ community organiser at the school, Sebastien Chapleau, who accompanied them on the trip.

“And they also demonstrated that their actions in Hackney are rooted in real political experiences - and not classroom-based activities,” he added.