Akala with Ashmount deputy head Annabel Le Moine

RAPPER and social commentator Akala has visited a Crouch Hill primary school to talk about education and the challenges that face children today.

The Natives author joined a Year 6 class at Ashmount Primary School in Crouch Hill last Tuesday to talk about his experiences growing up in Camden.

Deputy Headteacher Annabel Le Moine said the Mobo-winning musician’s impact on the children was huge as he revealed stories from what was sometimes a difficult youth growing up as a mixed-race boy.

Calling him an “amazing role model” for all children but “especially black males”, she added: “The kids knew who he was but, honestly, when you watch the video with him rapping to the kids, he was able to put in his knowledge of history, references to Shakespeare – and their faces! Their jaws just dropped.

“He smashed it and when Akala was leaving the kids wanted to give him a fist pump – they were absolutely made up.”

Ms Le Moine has two mixed race children of her own and said reading his book and listening to his podcast “had had a massive impact on my way of thinking”.

Akala, who is the brother of Mercury Prize-winning singer Ms Dynamite, signed autographs for the pupils and staff with the message “big up”.

“He was lovely. A genuinely nice guy, very humble and self-effacing,” she said. “I was a little bit giddy. I tend to ignore celebrities usually as they can be a bit full of themselves, but he was just so lovely, and he was fine about taking a picture. I was so excited I couldn’t wait to meet him – it kept me on a buzz for the rest of the week!”

Akala was invited to the school by childhood football coach Salman Ali, who is a learning mentor there.