"You can be the light at the end of their tunnel" concludes Karis*, aged 11, to rounds of applause from her fellow classmates.
I've walked in midway through a year 7 English lesson, they're focusing this term on the power of the spoken word. Karis, whose voice had been resonating down the corridors, is not yet 5 ft. She steps away from the light of the smartboard and scurries back to her seat, half-smiling at the loud applause of her classmates, glowing proudly and slightly in awe of herself.
She's three years off of the pivotal years where the culmination of her efforts and achievements in secondary school won't just mean a lot to her but also to the statisticians patiently combing through the academic profiles of over half a million GSCE students who sit exams each year. Three years in which to learn and exemplify the strength of character and the grit that's admired in a well-rounded individual after their first twelve years of study.
Here, in Newham, one of the most deprived boroughs in Europe, over 70% of students are on free school meals or receive pupil premium. The other 30% may have qualified for free school meals in the past but due to measurement shifts now go without this benefit.
The teacher I'm observing has moved here from Poland and is passionate about giving her students a stronger voice in society. Pasted across the walls are lyrics from George the poet, whose famous spoken word has echoed through classrooms across East London ever since.
"TFL knows the world is your Oyster as
Long as you can afford it"
A clever metaphor. One thought up back in 2003 whose poetic meaning is often lost in the all-consuming buzz of the everyday commute.
Not for this class; for those looking for the light at the end of their tunnel of education. Now, on the cusp of these five years that set the framework for their future. They understand as plain as day that central London is still very far away:
"There are many people in London who are too poor to afford an oyster meaning that they are unable to use the means of transport to travel"
*Names have been changed for safeguarding reasons