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“RICKARD FN (English, Head of Careers, 1993-). Hull Univ., BA; Housemaster RW, 1986-93; Rugby and Cricket coaching; i/c Challenge Scheme and Work Experience.”—Merchiston Castle School Register (1974-1993), 7th Edition – Staff section

“To help support the housemasters, in my early years, I appointed an experienced Merchiston practitioner as a “guide on the side”, seventh non-residential housemaster, Mr Nigel Rickard. Anne and Nigel Rickard lived on the campus. Nigel Rickard in his earlier years had been a housemaster at Merchiston and when I arrived, he was head of personal, social and health education (PSHE). He was my first child protection co-ordinator. This position was to create further ballast and support for the housemasters.”—Andrew Hunter, SCAI Witness Statement (17 November 2020)

“There were policies at Merchiston when I arrived. David Spawforth had introduced them. They had to be improved and refined but that is the case every year in every school. It was great that, in essence, the policies were there. David Spawforth was the first child protection co-ordinator and his secretary was his back-up. Today, the head being the child protection co-ordinator would not be appropriate.”—Andrew Hunter, SCAI Witness Statement (17 November 2020)

“The first formal child protection policy must have been around 1999, with the appointment of the Child Protection Coordinator, with responsibility for staff training and record keeping.”—”Assistant Masters: Peter Hall – SCAI Witness Statement” (7 December 2020)