On Wednesday 7th May, Hartshill Academy had the honour of welcoming Paul Canoville, Chelsea Football Club’s first Black player, for an inspiring evening that celebrated character, achievement and community spirit.

The event, An Evening with Paul Canoville, brought together pupils, parents and staff from Hartshill Academy, George Eliot Academy, Heath Lane Academy, and Nuneaton Academy — all part of the United Learning family. Together, we reflected on the shared values of Allyship, Belonging and Community, and the importance of developing young people who demonstrate strength of character in all they do.

Paul shared his powerful story of resilience, courage and hope — describing how he overcame racism, adversity and personal challenges to make history in football and beyond. His message about self-belief and perseverance left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.

A highlight of the evening was celebrating the achievements of our incredible pupils: Ishmael, Izzy, Noah, Abi, Emily and David. Each of them was recognised for their positive attitude, kindness, and contribution to school life — qualities that reflect what it truly means to live our school values of Heart, Ambition, Respect and Tenacity.

As their names were announced and the room filled with applause, it was clear how much pride there was — from staff, families, and the pupils themselves — in seeing everyday acts of character celebrated in such a special way.

We extend our warmest congratulations to all of our award winners and heartfelt thanks to Paul Canoville and his foundation for inspiring us with his story and for supporting our pupils to believe in themselves and their potential.