College welcomes Bath Rugby’s Johann van Graan for Leadership Conversation
Staff from across Weston College gathered at the Winter Gardens Ballroom for the latest instalment of the College’s Leadership Conversation Series, welcoming guest speaker Johann van Graan, Head of Rugby at Bath Rugby.
The session explored leadership through the lens of high-performance sport, with van Graan sharing reflections on building belief within teams, leading through change and creating environments where individuals can perform at their best. His insights sparked discussion among staff about how lessons from elite sport can translate into education and organisational leadership.
The conversation resonated strongly with the College’s own values of Integrity, Compassion, Ambition and being People-Centred, which underpin how staff support learners, colleagues and the wider community. These principles guide the College’s commitment to excellence and collaboration, helping to create a culture where everyone can thrive.
By connecting lessons from elite sport with the College’s values-led approach, the session encouraged colleagues to reflect on how leadership, coaching and teamwork can help drive positive outcomes across education and beyond. Following the keynote discussion, attendees took part in an interactive workshop on coaching for excellence, exploring practical approaches to developing talent, supporting teams and enabling individuals to reach their full potential.
Johann van Graan has overseen a remarkable transformation at Bath Rugby since joining the club in 2022. When he arrived, the team had just finished at the bottom of the Premiership Rugby, but under his leadership Bath quickly rebuilt belief and performance, reaching the Premiership Final in the 2023/24 season before going on to secure a historic treble the following year. In 2025 the club ended a 29-year wait for the league title, winning the Premiership alongside the Premiership Rugby Cup and the European Challenge Cup. The achievement marked one of the most significant turnarounds in the club’s history and saw van Graan recognised as Director of Rugby of the Season for his leadership and impact.
Events such as the Leadership Conversation Series play an important role in supporting the College’s mission of creating brighter futures for its learners, staff and the communities it serves. By bringing together perspectives from education, industry and sport, Weston College continues to inspire new ideas, strengthen leadership practice and reinforce a shared culture of ambition and opportunity.
