Latest news with #PeteRichardson
Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Sale's secret weapon is their ‘theme' for every match
Pete Richardson is not as recognisable as George Ford or either of the Curry twins. Even die-hard Sale Sharks supporters are unlikely to have heard of him. Even if the stars align for his club over the coming fortnight, he probably will not receive an official Premiership winners' medal. But the 36-year-old has been a significant, if largely unsung, figure in Sale's route to the play-offs. He refines Alex Sanderson's 'brain farts' by creating a visual for the theme of each game. These have encompassed box-office movies, sporting icons and more original ideas. 'Earlier this season we were playing Harlequins, who are known for wanting to put on a show,' Richardson explains, by way of an example. 'Al wanted to twist that with the message we wanted to turn it into a horror show. There was a little bit of back-and-forth about how the tactics could fit that theme and I came up with 'The Sale Sharks Circus of Pain'. 'As you can imagine, the visuals for that were Harlequins players in cages and on the rack. Each of them, we tried to correlate to an aspect of Sale's game.' Coaching hinges upon the capacity to impart information and delivery is critical. This often requires familiar information to be re-emphasised and repackaged. Creativity is an effective way of keeping the audience – the players who must implement a game plan – stimulated and engaged. Born and bred in Salford, Richardson had held a season ticket for six years at Sale when he noticed that they were advertising for a graphic designer in 2023. Although the deadline had passed two weeks previously, he contacted the club. An interview was sorted for the next day. The day after that, he was offered the role and promptly left his post as a creative director at a Liverpool marketing agency. 'My day-to-day here is really varied,' Richardson continues. 'It spans across preparing decks for sponsorship to social media match graphics and kit campaigns. It's a really diverse role.' One senses that brainstorming with Sanderson, which usually takes place on a Sunday before Richardson completes the artwork in time for it to be used in meetings on Mondays and Tuesdays, is a highlight. 'Al is a really open guy,' he adds. 'He likes the close-knit, family feel that we have here and what he's really good at is how clear he is with his ideas during what is essentially the briefing process. He's also open to things I might suggest just to elevate things. It's a collaborative approach, which is the same vibe around the whole building here, really. 'Al will give me a ring, we'll have a chat. I use a lot of artificial intelligence just to speed up the process because the slides have to be turned around for early the next week.' Presentations reference specific strengths and weakness of rival sides, including individuals who can be targeted or need to be contained. Other examples of theming at Sharks include 'Sale-xtric' for the home fixture against Northampton Saints at the end of March. The classic toy racing car sets – and their distinctive trigger controllers – were used to illustrate how it would be essential to 'push and pull' at different junctures. The must-win match against Saracens in April was likened to the action film 300, in which Spartans defend their territory against a vast Persian invasion. Armand Duplantis, the phenomenal pole-vaulter who keeps extending his world record, was the poster boy for last weekend's nervy defeat of Exeter Chiefs as Sale were urged to concentrate on their own performance and redefine what is possible. It is easy to be cynical about this process and tarnish it as gimmicky and tenuous. But theming can ramp up motivation and clarify objectives. Sanderson believes his group is driven by emotion, and often picks at any chips on shoulders by reminding players that, back in November, they were given a nine per cent chance of reaching the top four. With popular team-mates such as Jonny Hill poised to depart, 'earn another Monday' has been a recurring tag-line. Lighter touches are welcome, too. After a 38-0 thrashing of Bristol Bears in December, doughnuts were ordered in to commemorate 'nilling' a dangerous opponent. When the stakes are high and margins are fine, every little helps and Richardson is certainly valued. Byron McGuigan, the Sharks defence coach who has been seconded to England for this summer's tour, enlisted Richardson's expertise to put together an introductory presentation to Steve Borthwick's squad. With Sale's play-off semi-final against Leicester this Saturday, Sanderson felt a fleeting panic when he thought that Richardson was otherwise engaged last weekend. Following a 30-26 victory away to Exeter Chiefs to clinch third place on Saturday, he contacted his artistic colleague at around 2pm the next day. 'I'd watched our game, watched Leicester's game and then I turned my head to this,' Sanderson recalls. 'I sent over some pictures and got the reply back that Pete was on holiday. Honestly, I was like: 'Pete, why now?!' I was pulling my hair out and sent him a text that was really guilt-infused.' Richardson was at a hotel in Bristol, but had attended the Sandy Park win as a fan. 'He was always going to spend a couple of hours on it,' Sanderson adds. 'It's a growing relationship and one I've become increasingly dependent on. I used to send over quite complicated things. Now I'll send a few pictures through with suggestions of what I want each area to be represented by, and I'll trust Pete to use his artistic licence. And it comes back polished. He makes my chaotic brain farts seem like something professional.' Richardson lightens mood for brutal semi-final Sale lost 44-34 to Leicester Tigers last month and, in Sanderson's words, were 'beaten up in the second half'. Blood-and-thunder battles at the set piece and on the gain line will go a long way towards deciding what is likely to be a brutal semi-final. Sanderson will not reveal details of his game plan or its visual theme, but will say that he has 'tried to create some levity'. 'I'm not going to divulge [the theme] yet because it's for us,' he says. 'If I start talking about what we have been doing this week, they can use it as fodder themselves. 'It's a fine line, because if you just talk about set piece and gain line, we'd be seeing red for the whole game. We could overreach and give away too many penalties. It's understanding how we can channel that emotion through the lessons we've learnt.' For Richardson, helping the Sale players to learn those lessons is a thrill. 'You can see the game plan brought to life in matches, which shows that the players have taken it on board,' he says. 'I hope that the visuals have helped to drive home the message. It's a privilege to have the opportunity to do it.'
Telegraph
06-05-2025
- Telegraph
Top private school settles abuse case with former pupil
One of Scotland's top private schools has agreed a six-figure settlement with a man who has claimed he suffered physical and sexual abuse as a pupil in the 1990s. Angus Bell, 44, claimed students were 'set on fire, beaten with cricket bats and strangled' in a 'madhouse' of violence and psychological abuse at Loretto School in Musselburgh, East Lothian. A civil trial, thought to be the first to involve pupil-on-pupil abuse, was set to begin at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on June 12, but the school opted to settle out of court. Pete Richardson, the headteacher of the school, which charges annual fees of up to £16,500, confirmed the matter had been 'resolved' with Mr Bell, but said: 'What has been averred in the court action is not congruent with our understanding of the experience of others at Loretto at that time.' He said 'the whole question of behaviours in Loretto over the years' had been considered in detail by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), which has been running for almost a decade. Mr Richardson added: ' We continue to support the work of SCAI and, where wrongdoing has been recognised in the past, we have made an unreserved apology – we would encourage anyone with an interest in this matter to look at the excellent work done by SCAI. In the Loretto of today, child protection, wellbeing and the happiness of all pupils is our top priority.' Mr Bell, who now lives in Canada, was thought to be the first person to sue the school over allegations of historical abuse when the action was brought in November 2023. He alleged teachers were aware of the violence and sexual abuse perpetrated by older pupils and not only failed to intervene but took steps to cover it up. Mr Bell spent eight years at the school from the age of 10. He said he was whipped with belt buckles, thrown down flights of stairs, locked in trunks and waterboarded in a dirty toilet. He also claimed he witnessed children being set on fire and having their 'genitals mutilated from gang beatings with boots'. He described every day as a 'cross between The Purge and The Running Man'. He called his time at the Loretto School 'eight years in hell'. Mr Bell, who gave evidence to the SCAI on his experiences, said no one from Loretto had apologised for the abuse he suffered. He said: 'The school knew abuse was happening and all too often chose to look the other way. 'The daily abuse I suffered at Loretto, from eight years of unchecked, harrowing peer-on-peer assaults, has been life-changing. 'I entered Loretto as a tiny, defenceless, 10-year-old boy. I endured eight years of abuse, 34 years of post-traumatic stress disorder, four and a half years of legal battle and in the end, that little boy beat the system.' 'Worst accounts of violence' Mr Bell praised the work of David Stock, a former English teacher, who kept evidence of abuse at the school after leaving in 1991. He said dozens of fellow former pupils and staff had reached out to offer their support. Loretto previously acknowledged pupils were abused by a teacher in the 1950s and 60s. Richard Pitts, a partner at legal firm Digby Brown, who led the action, said: 'The treatment depicted at Loretto was horrific – in my years as an abuse solicitor it's among some of the worst accounts of violence and depravity I've ever heard of. 'Angus has been strong, calm and resilient throughout his entire journey and I commend him for what he has been able to do because he has not just secured justice for himself – in all likelihood he has opened the doors to help others get the outcome they deserve too.'
Edinburgh Live
06-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Former East Lothian pupil 'suffered horrific abuse' at boarding school throughout '90s
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An East Lothian man who was allegedly assaulted regularly while attending boarding school in the '90s has secured a 'landmark victory'. Angus Bell, 44, claimed he was repeatedly attacked while attending Loretto School in Musselburgh. Angus, who now lives in Canada, said teachers 'knew about it and either failed to intervene or took steps to cover it up'. The trail, believed to be the first involving pupil-on-pupil abuse, was set to begin in June. Former pupils and teachers were due to provide testimonies. The legal challenge first came to light in November 2023, with Angus revealing he had been sexually and emotionally abused by older pupils in the '90s. He also told of children being set on fire, pupils beaten with hockey stick and whipped with belts, waterboarding in toilets and being thrown down stairs. However, Loretto School bosses have now settled out of court for a six-figure sum. Head of Loretto School, Pete Richardson, said they have made an 'unreserved apology' to Angus adding that in the Loretto of today 'child protection, wellbeing and the happiness of all pupils is our top priority'. Angus said: "The school knew abuse was happening and all too often chose to look the other way and at no point has Loretto contacted me to apologise – not even after I gave evidence at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "But finally outsiders know what happened within those walls. Finally the school has been held to account. "The daily abuse I suffered at Loretto, from eight years of unchecked, harrowing peer-on-peer assaults, has been life changing. "I want to give special thanks to those who had the courage to support me. Particular praise must go to English teacher David Stock, whose career was terminated for confronting the Loretto authorities about the widespread culture of physical, sexual and psychological abuse in 1991. "There is still much work to be done and I will continue to support fellow survivors as it is vital the truth continues to be heard so current and future generations of children are protected." Richard Pitts, Partner at Digby Brown, led the legal action against Loretto School. He said: 'The treatment depicted at Loretto was horrific – in my years as an abuse solicitor it's among some of the worst accounts of violence and depravity I've ever heard of. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. 'Angus has been strong, calm and resilient throughout his entire journey and I commend him for what he has been able to do because he has not just secured justice for himself - in all likelihood he has opened the doors to help others get the outcome they deserve too." Pete Richardson, Head of Loretto School, said: "We can confirm that the matter has been resolved in terms agreed with Mr Bell. "Whilst we do not intend to comment on the detail of matters raised by Mr Bell, what has been averred in the Court action is not congruent with our understanding of the experience of others at Loretto at that time. The whole question of behaviours in Loretto over the years has been considered in detail by SCAI. "We continue to support the work of SCAI and, where wrongdoing has been recognised in the past, we have made an unreserved apology – we would encourage anyone with an interest in this matter to look at the excellent work done by SCAI. In the Loretto of today, child protection, wellbeing and the happiness of all pupils is our top priority."
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Historic £49,632-a-year boarding school axes teachers' jobs in wake of Labour's private school VAT raid
One of the UK's most historic boarding schools is cutting teachers' jobs as pupil numbers fall in the wake of the Government's VAT raid on schools. Loretto School – the alma mater of former Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling and broadcaster Andrew Marr – said the decision had been made because rising costs caused by VAT on fees were deterring parents from enrolling their children. Staff at the school – the oldest school in Scotland which will celebrate its 200th birthday in 2027 - were told last week when they returned from the Easter Holidays that their jobs were at risk because of 'significant financial challenges' which were 'outside the school's control'. The school near Edinburgh – which also has day pupils - has seen pupil numbers fall since Labour imposed its education tax on school fees in January, a school source told the Mail on Sunday. It raised fees by 17% in January to up to £49,632 a year, absorbing 3% of the 20% VAT levy, with fees for the next academic year yet to be announced. In a letter to parents seen by this newspaper, Head Pete Richardson and Chair of the Board of Governors Peter McCutcheon told parents a staff review was underway 'based on projected pupil enrolment which has been directly impacted by the VAT imposition'. They told parents that they had been 'navigating the complexities of running a school in the current financial climate' and challenges including 'increases in VAT, national insurance and the minimum wage' had led to the decision to launch a staffing review. Up to 8 teaching jobs are now expected to be lost after a redundancy process. One parent said parents had been particularly affected by the imposition of VAT on fees in Scotland because they already faced higher tax rates than the rest of the UK. Calling it 'a tragedy for the whole community including the wider community', she said: 'We are all shocked that staff now face losing their jobs and it shows the impact and the ripple effect of this awful tax not just on our children, on us and on schools but on staff and on wider communities who rely on schools as important employers. 'In what other country during such uncertain times, would any government strike at the private sector like this. It is incredibly frightening. Many of the staff live in this community and local suppliers and businesses rely on the school which is a big part of the local economy.' Head Pete Richardson, who is in his first year leading the school, confirmed that he had the 'difficult task' of speaking to academic staff about job losses, and said the school was 'deeply committed' to ensuring they were treated with 'the utmost kindness, care and consideration'. Hitting out at the tax, he said: 'The Labour Government's decision to implement VAT on school fees has had a marked impact upon the independent sector's ability to both retain and attract pupils. 'This is especially true when applied to the international market, a key element of our boarding numbers.' He added: 'As Scotland's oldest boarding school, Loretto is also the custodian of several Listed buildings and these require investment in terms of upkeep, including the recent roof replacement of one of our oldest buildings, but schools like Loretto are so much more than bricks and mortar - it is its people, especially its staff, which make a School like Loretto great.' Labour's VAT raid has now seen 22 independent schools around the UK close or announce closure since January with thousands of pupils forced to leave their schools and seek state school places, causing particular issues in over subscribed regions such as Edinburgh, the South East of England and Bristol. A decision on a landmark High Court challenge against the Chancellor Rachel Reeves by parents of children with special educational need and the Independent Schools Council opposed to the VAT levy is expected within days.
