A Wickford secondary school will feature in a major BBC documentary airing tonight (June 8), after welcoming former England men’s manager Sir Gareth Southgate for filming earlier this year.
The Bromfords School, in Grange Avenue, hosted Sir Gareth and a BBC film crew for a two-week period as part of a programme exploring the challenges faced by boys and young men across the UK.
The documentary, Gareth Southgate: Changing the Game for Young Men, follows Sir Gareth as he examines issues including education, identity, and opportunity, with a focus on boys who lack positive male role models.
The visit to the Essex school was arranged through its partnership with the charity Lads Need Dads, which supports boys affected by the absence of a father or father figure.
The Bromfords School is the first in the country to pilot and complete the charity’s “Lad Pods” programme, which provides mentoring, emotional development and group support sessions for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils.
During filming, Sir Gareth met with staff to discuss barriers facing boys in education and the wider community.
He also joined a Lad Pod session and spoke directly with pupils about their experiences, including how the programme has supported their confidence, behaviour and sense of belonging.
Sonia and Joel Shaljean, founders of Lads Need Dads, also took part in discussions and activities during the visit.
Staff at the school described the experience as “uplifting and inspiring”, with Sir Gareth’s engagement leaving a lasting impression on pupils.
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A spokesperson for The Bromfords School said: “Sir Gareth’s genuine interest in the boys’ experiences, along with his thoughtful engagement with staff, created a memorable and empowering experience for the entire school community.
“The school looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Lads Need Dads and remains committed to supporting all pupils through innovative programmes that help them thrive both academically and personally.”
The programme also sees Sir Gareth travel across the UK, including visits to Middlesbrough and a prison, as he speaks to young men about the challenges they face and explores potential solutions.
Sir Gareth, who led England to back-to-back European Championship finals in 2020 and 2024, and a World Cup semi-final in 2018, was awarded a knighthood in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to football.
The documentary airs tonight at 9pm on BBC.
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