Today, we were delighted to welcome Mr Floyd Steadman OBE to celebrate our Equality and Inclusion Day at Reading Blue Coat.  Mr Steadman has previously visited RBC and spoken to staff at our September INSET day.  We were thrilled when he agreed to return to share his experiences with our students.

Mr Steadman works with the Drive Forward Foundation, a charity that provides education and opportunities for children and young adults who have grown up in care.  The former Saracens captain was, himself, taken into care at a young age after running away from his abusive father.  He had a challenging childhood, living in children’s homes from the age of 10.  During this time, he was successful academically and developed a passion for rugby – the sport that shaped his extraordinary career.  His PE teacher spotted his talent and encouraged him, even to the extent that Mr Steadman lived with him for a year, so he could complete his A-levels.  Mr Steadman successfully completed his A-levels and earned a place at Borough Road College (now part of Brunel University).   After excelling in rugby union, Mr Steadman became a trailblazer for ethnic minorities within the sport, and became the first black captain of an English Premiership side.  He also went on to pursue a successful career in education, rising to be Headteacher.

Having retired from his headteacher role, Mr Steadman is now an independent education consultant who specialises in diversity, equality and inclusion.  He is delighted to have been awarded an OBE for services to rugby union, education, and charity in the 2023 New Year Honours.

Mr Steadman’s talks were a candid exploration of the realities of coming of age during the 1960s and 70s before becoming one of the few black players in an English rugby club.  He spoke openly about the discrimination he faced in the past, reiterating to students that he was judged on one thing, and one thing only: the colour of his skin.  Students in all year groups were engaged as Mr Steadman told of his moving experiences growing up.  Many questions followed as students were inspired to find out more.  Mr Steadman’s message to all of us is how important it is to reflect on the unconscious bias we may all have, and to try to have a greater awareness of our own behaviour.  Mr Steadman has faced many injustices and he has faced them with dignity.  He acknowledges how much society has moved on since the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s but there is still a way to go.  Thankfully, younger generations are passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion.   This, we hope, will encourage a fairer and more compassionate society.

We would like to thank Mr Steadman for sharing his story and insights with us.

Other activities for the Equality and Inclusion Day had been organised by the Mandela Group – the School’s racial and cultural equality society.  These included some celebrations for the upcoming Lunar New Year.  There was a lunchtime calligraphy workshop for students to create decorations to be displayed around the School.  The day was also a home clothes day to raise money for The Race Equality Foundation, with student’s encouraged to wear red in recognition of Lunar New Year.  During tutor time on Friday 20 January, students will have time to reflect on the day with their tutor and will also have the opportunity to send “Red Letters of Value” to members of the school community to be delivered on Lunar New Year the following week.  The group are also in the process of planning repeats of last year’s successful Holi Festival and Cultural Food Fair for later in the Spring Term.

The Equality and Inclusion Day and other upcoming events should be a great opportunity to celebrate and reflect on all the different cultures in our school and we hope that the students will enjoy them.

Sarah Langdon
Teacher of Chemistry and Director of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Jenny Butterworth
Marketing and Communications Manager