On 13th and 14th November 2019, Aidan Thompson and Michael Fullard visited Saracens High School and University Academy 92 (UA92) as part of preparations for the Centre’s forthcoming Character and Sport Consultation at St George’s House, Windsor Castle in December. On 13th November, Aidan and Michael met with Principal Dr. Matt Stevens at Saracens High School, which opened in 2018, and champions the Saracens Rugby Club values of Hard Work, Discipline, Honesty, and Humility. Dr. Stevens gave Aidan and Michael a tour of the School, giving them opportunity to see the ‘character caught’ provision, epitomised in part by the ‘family lunch’ that students and staff engage in, and the pastoral programme includes an explicit character focus. Aidan and Michael also met with Elizabeth Style, Assistant Principal and Head of Maths, and also MA Character Education student in the Centre.
On 14th November, Aidan and Michael visited UA92 in Manchester to meet with Dr. Sara Ward, Director of Academic Studies, and Dr. Craig Winstanley, Senior Tutor and Course Leader for Sport. Opened in September 2019, and backed by the Manchester United ‘class of 92’ players Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs, UA92 includes an innovative approach to character in its teaching and learning.
Both institutions will present at the December Consultation, which is now full.