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England cricketer to speak at school near Boroughbridge

Former England cricketer Dawid Malan. (Image: @djmalan29 via Instagram)

A former England and Yorkshire cricketer is set to speak at a local school's end of year Speech Day.

Cricketer Dawid Malan will be a guest speaker at Cundall Manor School near Boroughbride tomorrow (Saturday 28th June).   

The 37-year old cricketer was once ranked ‘the number one white-ball batsman’ in the world, and is one of two England players who have scored a century in every format of international cricket; T20, ODI and Test.

He was part of the England squad that won the T20 World Cup in 2022 and he won the Twenty20 title with Middlesex and the Hundred with the Oval Invincibles

Dawid lives locally to Cundall Manor School, with his family and two young children.

His father used to play cricket with Cundall Manor School’s Headmaster, Simon Weale and Dawid also played a few competitive games with Simon Weale at the start of his career.

Simon Weale, said he was delighted that Dawid Malan accepted his invitation to come and inspire the children at Cundall and pass on his success story, where both girls and boys play cricket in the beautiful Yorkshire grounds. 

Simon Weale said: 

“Dawid is taking time out of his busy summer cricket schedule to visit us in school and he will be hugely welcomed by our community.

"I have watched Dawid play cricket since he was a very little boy, outside our clubhouse in Teddington where his excellent cricket skills were showing from an early age.

"He comes from a strong cricketing family and his father would have him batting and bowling all day long with his brother, whatever the weather, and this has clearly paid off.”

Cundall Manor School is already familiar with top international cricketers. 

Cricket legend Ian Botham sent his children and grandchildren to the school which majors on sports and character development. 

Lord Botham’s grandson, Jimbo, represented Wales in the Six Nations this year, and is he is the son of rugby league, rugby union and cricket star Liam Botham, also a Cundall alumni. 

Prize giving is a grand affair at Cundall Manor School with the whole of the Prep and Senior school children attending the prize giving with parents in a large Marquee in front of the old Manor house, which was once a hunting lodge for the elite. 

Headteacher Simon Weale said:

“Our school was founded with the aim of producing resilient young people who can solve problems by learning to try new things, face setbacks positively, and support one another.

"That’s the heart of our character curriculum—and why events like sports and teamwork are integral to life at Cundall Manor.”

In a digital age, Cundall Manor School (near Ripon and Thirsk) stands apart as an activity and action-led education.

As a co-ed, phone-free school set in the stunning North Yorkshire countryside, Cundall encourages pupils to be curious, active, and take ownership of their choices as they grow into confident, capable individuals—climbing trees, taking risks, and learning through real-life experiences.

As a small, nurturing school, Cundall Manor offers a truly personal education where every child matters.

The school champions a ‘dynamic education is best’ approach, where academic learning, wellbeing, and personal development through lived experience go hand in hand—ensuring no two school days are ever the same.

Through enriching co-curricular activities like the go-kart race, climbing Ben Nevis, and sports tours, pupils are regularly challenged in meaningful ways—developing the resilience, confidence, and life skills they need to thrive far beyond the classroom.

And it is this inclusive and joyful environment that fosters children from nursery to GCSE age to have a love of learning that stays with them for life.

To find out more about how Cundall Manor combines academic excellence with a vibrant, well-rounded school life for ages 2 - 16, contact 01423 360200.

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