The Team GB sprinter and GB and Jamaica bobsleigh star on challenging schooldays and the supporters who helped him go places in sport
Where did you go to school and when?
I began my school journey in the early nineties at Lakey Lane School in Birmingham before moving to Coventry, where I attended Woodlands Boys’ School.
What was school like for you?
School was a challenging place for me. I had dyslexia and ADHD at a time when they weren’t widely recognised, and very early on I was labelled as a ‘naughty’ child. That was difficult – especially for my mum, who knew that wasn’t who I was.
Did you love school, or hate it?
I’d say I was somewhere in the middle with school. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. I enjoyed the social side and got on well with my peers, but in the classroom I was often misunderstood. There wasn’t always the patience or understanding I needed, which made learning more difficult than it should have been. That said, there were moments – and people – that made a real difference.
What were your favourite subjects and teachers at school?
In Year 4, Mrs Wright changed everything for me. She allowed me to express myself in ways that worked – using things like K’NEX and Lego to build and create. Sometimes she would let me stay in during break just to focus on building, and I loved it. I’d make cars, air balloons, really intricate designs. That was where my love of engineering began.
More importantly, she helped me get diagnosed with dyslexia, gave me strategies to read, write and spell – and most of all – she gave me confidence. She took the time to understand me and nurture me and I’ve never forgotten that.
Of course, PE and sports were always my ‘best’ subjects – the ones where I got the most praise. A couple of coaches outside school have been absolutely instrumental in getting me to where I am now – Charlie Kelly at Coventry Godiva Harriers, and MIchael Khmel at Loughborough.
Where was your best school moment?
Funnily enough, a key moment was when I was sitting in detention and picked up a book about Linford Christie – I wasn’t really reading it, I was looking at the pictures. And I remember seeing him standing there, holding the British flag, strong, powerful, proud. And I thought to myself, ‘I want that to be me’. That moment planted a seed.
What was the most trouble you ever got into at school?
As I moved into secondary school, things became harder. There was less time to build relationships with teachers, less understanding, and I fell behind quite quickly. If I’m honest, I struggled throughout most of that period.
I wasn’t expelled, but I was ‘managed moved.’. Both schools I attended were in Tile Hill, Coventry and I experienced racism. There were things said and behaviours shown that I wasn’t willing to accept. I always tried to handle those situations in the right way, but ultimately, instead of addressing the issue, I was the one who got moved. Looking back, it felt like the problem wasn’t being fixed.
What beliefs did your time at school give you?
When I left school, I didn’t have much belief in myself. Deep down, I felt like there was more in me but it had never really been unlocked. It’s sad to say, but I don’t remember many moments where I truly felt proud of myself during that time.
Were you ever ‘too cool for school’?
While I struggled with a lot of aspects of school, I also didn’t take up the opportunities that were there. I didn’t join sports teams – I didn’t step into sport until I was around 16. I didn’t take part in drama or creative activities, even though I would have liked to. Whether I was trying to be too cool or was just shy, I held myself back.
What was your proudest school moment?
One of the first times I remember feeling proud was winning the Coventry 100 metre championships in Year 11. There were a lot of fast athletes there, so to win meant a lot. What made it even more special was that my mum had won that same race when she was younger. It felt like something bigger than just a race – it felt like connection.
When and how did your love sport begin?
PE was always when I got the most ‘well dones’ at school, so in Year 7 I joined Sparkhill Harriers in Birmingham to train outside of school too. When we moved to Coventry in Year 9, I found a new club in Coventry, Godiva Harriers, and continued to work hard, eventually ending up at Loughborough with Michael Khmel. He was my sprint coach first, and also the one that persuaded me to move to bobsleigh, so I have a lot to thank him for.
What other key influences shaped you growing up?
My biggest influence throughout all of this was my dad. I was lucky to have him in my life the whole time. He showed me how to work hard, how to never give up, and how to find solutions when things got tough. He wasn’t involved in sport, but everything he taught me, I carried into it – and that’s what made the difference.
What projects and challenges are you involved in now?
Today, I visit over 60 schools each year, sharing these stories with young people. I’ve also recently written a children’s book called Just Be Brave, inspired by my journey. It follows a young boy named Joel as he finds his courage and learns to face the world with confidence.
I’m also really excited to be back at Festival of Sport in Packington, Warwickshire this summer. It’s an amazing opportunity for kids from all backgrounds to try out dozens of different sports and meet pros from all of them. It’s the kind of thing that could be as inspirational to a child today as that book with Linford Christie in it was to me.
How would you sum up your school days in three words?
Fun, daunting, and shaping.
* Just Be Brave is available on Amazon. Joel Fearon is at Festival of Sport 2026, Packington, Warwickshire from 24 – 27 July, with weekend and day tickets available now. festivalofsportuk.com
Further reading: Rachael Burford on school days in Kent and her passion for rugby
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