With debate as to the merits of the new statue of Mary Wollstonecraft in Newington Green, students along the road in Dartmouth Park welcomed a Wollstonecraft expert and one of the campaigners behind the statue.

Ham & High: Maggi Hambling's statue in Newington Green, dedicated to Mary Wollstonecraft. Picture: Ioana MarinescuMaggi Hambling's statue in Newington Green, dedicated to Mary Wollstonecraft. Picture: Ioana Marinescu (Image: Archant)

Feminist writer Bee Rowlatt spent time with a sixth form theatre studies class at La Sainte Union Catholic School, and spoke about why she was proud of the controversial statue produced by sculptor Maggie Hambling.

READ MORE: Covid-19 leaves Garden Suburb school £47k in the redTeacher Sarah O’Keefe explained: “Bee spoke about the statue being for Mary and what she achieved, it is not a sculpture of her, but shows women’s struggles with a strong, determined female form rising out of the top.”

Sarah said her pupils had been so inspired by the discussion that they were set to use Mary Wollstonecraft’s words – “I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves” – as the basis for a devised piece of drama.

Ham & High: Maggi Hambling's statue in Newington Green, dedicated to Mary Wollstonecraft. Picture: Ioana MarinescuMaggi Hambling's statue in Newington Green, dedicated to Mary Wollstonecraft. Picture: Ioana Marinescu (Image: Archant)