"Follow your own path. Love what you do. Don't let anything or anyone get in your way." That was the message Rudolph Walker CBE brought to William Ford today.

Rudolph came in to talk about his career as an actor and his time on EastEnders playing the part of Patrick Truman. His own journey began a long way from a television studio. He grew up in poverty in Trinidad with his single mother, and came to the UK at the age of 20, not long after Windrush. He spoke openly about the challenges he faced on arrival, including racism, and about how he broke into acting and made it into one of Britain's best-loved soaps.

Rudolph spoke in our collective worship, was interviewed by our pupil DJs on the school radio station, and led an additional session for our older pupils, linked to their learning in the curriculum.

His advice for the children was straightforward. "You're never too young to have an interest in something, whether it be mechanic, whether it be a doctor, whether you want to be a lawyer, whether you want to be a teacher. You're not too young to have these dreams in your head. But the most important thing is to enjoy whatever you want to do."

He also shared his own school motto: perseverance wins. If you want to be a footballer, you have to practise. Whatever the dream, the same applies.

For children who may face their own barriers, hearing from someone who overcame so much and never let anything stop him was powerful.

We are very grateful to Rudolph for giving his time and sharing his story so honestly.