Aviation pioneer Amy Johnson is among women pioneers commemorated with a special educational programme in six Brent schools.

The story of Amy Johnson, who learned to fly when she was living in Kingsbury and later served in the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War, is among three told in the Brent Women of Renown project by the Cricklewood Town Team voluntary organisation.

Another pioneer was Violet Doudney, a suffragette who trained as a teacher in Kilburn, who was imprisoned 100 years ago during the campaign for women’s votes.

The final story is that of Dame Stephanie Shirley, who fled Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport at the age of five in 1938. She grew up to become a mathematician and pioneer computer engineer at the Post Office research station in Dollis Hill and continues today in philanthropy helping women into work.

The three women were said to have overcome prejudice and discrimination to pave the way for others in science and politics.

The project was started in schools during the year with workshops run by artist Amanda Beasley, who created costumes for the children for a Brent Women of Renown documentary.

The film, which had its premiere at the Kiln - the former Tricycle theatre in Kilburn High Road - included an interview with suffragette Violet Doudney’s granddaughter Maggie Toy.

Sixth form pupils from Kingsbury High school competed in a creative writing competition for the project after oral history training from Dr Midge Gillies, an assistant professor at Cambridge University working at the Hendon RAF Museum.

Competition winners Salwa Ali, Joice Nageswaran and Zohaib Nazir were presented with certificates at the film premier by the mayor of Brent Orleen Hylton.

The event also included Salusbury School pupils reading poems on stage after having appeared in the film.

It ended with a Q&A session with film director Amanda Epe and panellists Dr Midge Gillies, Michelle Ginty and Maggie Toy.

University student Yasmin Safieddine, who edited the documentary, was praised for putting together “a high quality film” that inspired school pupils in the audience.