AFC Sudbury appoints veteran school headteacher Andy Harvison as club’s new director of education

A long-serving school leader has been recruited by Sudbury’s football club ahead of the new season, to help its student players achieve their educational goals.

AFC Sudbury announced on Friday, the appointment of Andy Harvison, a 29-year veteran of Hedingham Secondary School and Sixth Form, as the club’s new education director.

He will begin the role in August, after stepping down as headteacher at the Hedingham school, which he has served in since 2020.

In his new position, Mr Harvison will manage educational standards at AFC Sudbury, in partnership with academy head Craig Power and the club’s education providers, SCL.

Currently, many of the club’s academy cohort are studying for a NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in sport and physical activity – a qualification equivalent to three A-levels.

“Having lived in Sudbury for 18 years until quite recently and worked within the community, I have watched the club use its passion for football as a magnet to bring young people together, and to deliver a cohesive educational experience,” he said.

“From under-7s, into the youth development pathway at under-13s, into the academy and onto adult football, this football-based learning encompasses physical health, mental wellbeing and the formation of lifelong friendships.

“I hope that I can use my experience to further embed these lessons and experiences on behalf of the community we serve.”

The club stated that Mr Harvison’s experience in school improvement, self-evaluation, budgeting and organisational effectiveness would add a great deal to their education programme.

Andrew Long, chairman of AFC Sudbury, added: “We really are delighted that Andy is joining us.

“Those of us who usually visit the club during weekends sometimes forget that we have around 150 students and tutors on site all day, every day of the week except for Fridays. The students also populate adult teams at weekends.

“I meet many individuals who think that all our students do is play football. They do play football every day, but they also spend many hours studying.

“The academic element is equally important as the football activity and development.

“We are just as proud to see students graduating to UK and USA universities, or into lucrative graduate degrees, as we are of those students who become professional footballers.”