Star pupils: Lessons hit different in York as Atang and Casey relive their school days

Heavy-handed prospects Leo Atang and Brad Casey, joined by trainer Ash Martin, spent Thursday morning back at Archbishop Holgate’s School in York, for a special visit focused on education, ambition and the realities of pursuing elite sport.

Timed perfectly in the build-up to their upcoming bouts on the undercard of Murtazaliev vs. Kelly at the Utilita Arena Newcastle, the boxers used big-fight momentum to deliver grounded, honest messages to students at every stage of their school journey.

The morning began with a warm welcome at Main Reception from Assistant Head Mr Middleton, before final preparations were made for two back-to-back assemblies.

For Leo in particular, walking back through his old school gates was a moment of reflection – a reminder that the path from playground to professional sport is rarely linear, but always shaped by the people and environments around you.

“Coming back here brings everything into perspective,” explained Atang.

“This is where it started for me. Days like this matter because you realise how much the people around you – teachers, coaches, mates – shape the journey long before boxing becomes the focus,” he continued.

“If coming back today helps even one student see what’s possible, it’s been worth it!”

The first assembly brought together over 200 Year 8 students, with a strong focus on aspirations and how success is built over time.

Leo and Brad spoke openly about setting goals, staying patient and understanding that progress often comes from consistency rather than quick wins.

Questions centred on what advice they would give to their younger selves, what hard work really looks like when no one is watching – and how discipline in sport can translate directly into school and future careers. The message was clear: whatever your chosen path, effort, routine and resilience matter.

The second assembly was delivered to Year 10, where the conversation turned to GCSEs, exam pressures and balancing education with training and wider ambitions.

Leo reflected on managing lessons, homework and training, while Brad spoke candidly about moments of doubt and how perseverance helped him push through challenges.

To add a practical element, Ash Martin invited Head of Year Miss Cooper up for a short padwork demonstration – a light-hearted moment that reinforced the discipline and technical skill required behind the scenes in boxing – and the importance of listening, learning and applying feedback.

Between sessions, Leo toured familiar corridors, stopping by a Food Technology classroom to see if his old photo was still on the wall (it wasn’t), before heading out to the Black Square – the school’s iconic playground – to reflect on early memories formed long before professional boxing.

The walk-through ended in the canteen, where Leo caught up with his old dinner ladies – and even helped serve some apple crumble to the assembled media!

Sport took centre stage again during a PE lesson, where Leo and Brad first joined students for a game of badminton before taking on Mr Middleton and Ash Martin in a doubles match.

Despite the boxers’ best efforts, the teacher-coach combination proved too strong on the day – a reminder that some talents are best kept in the ring!

During break time, the visit took on a more reflective tone as Leo and Brad spent time in the staff room, presenting signed Everlast gloves, a personalised T-shirt and other mementos to the teachers who had supported them during their school years.

The reception was overwhelmingly positive, with genuine pride in seeing former students return as role models for the next generation.

The final stop of the morning was Ascent – a dedicated part of the school providing structured, smaller-group learning for students who benefit from a more tailored approach.

Here, Leo and Brad took time to speak one-to-one with students, offering encouragement around both academic pathways and sporting ambitions, reinforcing the importance of finding positive outlets, structure and belief in yourself.

Reflecting on the morning, Head of Community Development, Alex Le Guével, highlighted how effectively both fighters managed the occasion and the wider value of visits like this beyond the ring.

“Both lads handled the sessions brilliantly,” said Le Guével.

“Public speaking isn’t easy, especially in front of a school hall, but Leo and Brad spoke honestly about education, having contingency plans and keeping doors open alongside boxing,” he continued.

“Experiences like this are invaluable – they help fighters develop confidence, communication skills and perspective in a safe, structured environment, which all feeds directly into things like press conferences and wider professional commitments.”

As the visit came to a close, the sense of purpose was clear. With the fighters preparing to step into the ring in Newcastle just a couple of weeks later, the morning highlighted how professional boxing can be used as a platform for meaningful, local impact – especially when those stories start close to home.

Speaking to students at the end of the sessions, the fighters left them with one simple takeaway: success looks different for everyone, but effort, discipline and the right support network make all the difference.