Visit to School by Figen Murray OBE, October 2025

We were privileged to welcome Figen Murray OBE into the School to speak with pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9.  Figen is the mother of Martyn Hett, who tragically lost his life in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to introduce Martyn’s Law, legislation designed to improve public safety and security at venues across the UK.

 

During her talk, Figen shared Martyn’s story and spoke about: 

• The importance of kindness, tolerance, and values in our communities 

• How Martyn’s Law will make public spaces safer for everyone 

• The dangers of online radicalisation and how young people can protect themselves. 

This was a unique opportunity for our pupils to hear directly from someone who has turned personal tragedy into a powerful campaign for change.  In Figen’s words, ‘Kindness links humans together in their humankind.’ 

Figen Murray OBE has spoken with more than 30,000 children across the UK about the dangers posed by extremists and terrorists online, encouraging them to stay alert and kind in an increasingly digital world.  

 

In her talk to pupils, Figen spoke movingly about her experiences and reminded them that they are future adults who can help shape and build a better world: one founded on kindness, tolerance, and understanding, and encouraged them to share these values with future generations.  ‘If we all do one random act of kindness every day,’ she said, ‘we might just set the world in the right direction.’  When pupils were asked who would be prepared to commit to this, every hand went up. 

Following this visit, pupils took part in a series of follow-up activities centred around the key messages of kindness, community, and resilience.  Everyone received a Kindness Pledge card from Figen and invited to make a personal commitment to carrying out an act of kindness.  As Figen explained, this could be anything—big or small—even something as simple as making a cup of tea for a family member.  Pupils’ pledges included: ‘I will give at least one compliment every day’; ‘I will support people at their highest and lowest’; ‘I’ll listen to people’; ‘I’ll ask if everyone is OK’; ‘If I see someone sad or alone, I will go up and sit with them’.   

Around 400 pupils completed their pledge cards, which are being displayed around school.  We hope that displaying our pupils’ thoughtful contributions will serve as inspiration for others to continue spreading more kindness throughout our school community. 

Pupils and staff were deeply affected by the forgiveness Figen had expressed surrounding her son’s death and her rejection of hate, anger and division; ‘We need to come together’ she said. 

Figen also imparted a great deal of solid advice earned through some extraordinary life experiences: be aware that AI can be dangerous; always know who you are talking to on-line; stay focused on your goals as we can all make a difference; if you’re going to do a campaign, never do it on your own; creativity is good for your wellbeing.  

When asked how many pupils would now take greater care to stay safe on-line having heard Figen speak, once more, almost every hand went up.  

We are deeply grateful to Figen for joining us and sharing her inspirational story.  Her message serves as a reminder that compassion, awareness, and courage can help us all play a part in building a safer, kinder society, and we think our pupils will always remember meeting her. 

 

 

Mrs Newbold, Senior Deputy Head Pastoral told us, 

“It was a privilege to welcome Figen to our school. Through her honesty and warmth, she helped us all to reflect on how kindness and empathy can strengthen the communities we build, within our school and beyond. She reminded us that each of us has the power to make a difference to others every day.”  

 

Principal, Mrs Anderson, added,

"I have never met anyone like Figen. Her humanity, kindness, and ability to forgive are immensely humbling.  The fact she has chosen to devote so much of her time and energy to promoting messages of kindness and keeping others safe is truly incredible. Not everyone is able to communicate and connect with young people as Figen can. One pupil said to her at the end, ‘Your talk has made a huge difference to me today.’ I actually think the talk made a huge difference to all of us and we note that Martyn, her son’s name, will forever be enshrined in British history thanks to his incredible mother’s work."

At Bury Grammar School, we are focused on building on Figen’s messages of kindness, on implementing Martyn’s Law and on bringing people together. 

Thank you, Figen.