Unconscious Bias Talk

In the first half of Lent term, a group of senior pupils were fortunate enough to attend a talk by ex-Saracens captain Floyd Steadman, which took place at Cranleigh School. Grecian (Year 13) pupil Alfiena wrote the below about the experience:

Rejected by his father, Floyd coped with a childhood in care, and we were given an insight into the obstacles Floyd faced growing up which were very much due to discrimination and unconscious bias. He is truly an inspirational and remarkable man, because, despite all the adversity he faced, he became the first black captain in English Premiership rugby at the age of 23. Floyd’s career has spanned elite rugby and education as headmaster at several prep schools. Amongst his other commitments, he now also travels the country to talk to people and students about unconscious bias and what we can do to overcome it. His efforts rewarded him with an OBE in the King’s first New Year Honours for services to rugby, education and charity.

After the passing of his wife, Floyd put his experiences onto paper, publishing his very own book ‘A Week One Summer’. Floyd Steadman has prevailed against immense odds, not with anger, dispute, or hysterics, but with persistence, dignity and integrity; this approach was his key message throughout the talk, as he inspired us all to do the same.