Having recently taken up the role of Athletic Development Lead at Taylors’, Charlie has already made big changes to the physical wellbeing of the pupils throughout his time here. This includes turning the gym in to a safe space for conversations and confidence building. We hope you enjoy this week’s Staff Spotlight.
When did you join Taylors’?
I joined Merchant Taylors’ in September 2023, starting out as Athletic Development and Injury Rehabilitation working within the PE department.
What most excites you about your role and what got you in to it?
What excites me most about being Athletic Development Lead at MTS is the chance to positively impact the physical wellbeing of so many pupils over the course of their time here. From our movement-first PE curriculum to strength & conditioning and injury rehabilitation, the gym has become a safe space for conversations and confidence building, irrespective of academic stress or sporting pressures. It is truly a space I feel proud to call my office, and each boy who enters knows they have the chance to better themselves, build resilience, and improve long-term health outcomes.
What are you most proud of outside of your work at Taylors’?
One of the proudest parts of life outside of Taylors’ is since leaving my undergraduate degree, being invited back each year to guest lecture. I thoroughly enjoy the advanced dialogue where pupils aren’t afraid to push for more, challenge my philosophies, and stretch everybody’s knowledge on topics of interest. I can see a direct transfer of skill from delivering these lectures and our enrichment curriculum which supports pupils interested in careers within science and sport (physiotherapy, analytics, sciences etc…).
What did you study?
I studied a BSc Strength and Conditioning and then specialised in paediatric populations, completing my MSc in Youth Athletic Development in my first year at MTS. I’m currently also deciding on the landscape of my PhD choice to contribute further to the field of youth physical development, injury prevention, and best practice for long-term outcomes in youth sport.
What piece of media would you recommend and why?
For the pupils: Science for Sport. For the parents eager to support their children through growth spurts and sport: Angela Jackson’s kidsback2sport.com.
