"Not a barrier": Former police sergeant Maria Canning inspires William Ford pupils
At William Ford, we believe that the obstacles in your path don't have to define your destination. Maria Canning's visit this week made that more vivid than any lesson could.
Maria is a former police sergeant, having served with Essex Police and Devon and Cornwall Police across cities, towns and rural communities. She spoke to our children about her journey from young cadet through to sergeant, sharing some of the incidents she faced along the way and giving them a genuine insight into what policing actually involves. Quick decisions, high adrenaline, and a deep commitment to keeping people safe.
It was also a good opportunity to reflect on something we can sometimes take for granted: that we live in a society protected by laws and by people who have chosen to uphold them. The police are there to protect and serve us all, and that is worth being thankful for. We also talked honestly about the negative press that the police can sometimes receive, and Maria was thoughtful in her response, reminding the children that officers are human, that mistakes happen, and that policing demands split-second judgements in circumstances most of us will never face.
Then came the part of the morning that our children will remember longest.
Maria shared that she has dyslexia and ADHD. Not as a footnote, but as a central part of her story. These were not what held her back. In fact, they shaped what she went on to do. Maria set up the Police National Dyslexia Association, creating support for officers across the country who share those same experiences. A difficulty she lived with became something she turned outward, to help others.
For our pupils, many of whom face similar challenges, that is not a small thing to hear. It is a reminder that what feels like a barrier can sometimes be the very thing that equips you to make a difference.
We are so grateful to Maria for her honesty, her warmth, and the time she gave our children this week.