Fantastic Performances All Round at Our SEND Sports Festival

Silver medals, brilliant teamwork and confident leadership shone through at yesterday’s event (Tuesday 21 April 2026) as six of our pupils represented the school at the first Inspiration Trust SEND Sports Festival. It was a day built around inclusive participation, active healthy competition, and opportunities for pupils to demonstrate sports leadership through encouragement, resilience and support for one another.

From the moment the activities began, pupils threw themselves into every challenge with focus and determination. The festival programme was packed with engaging, accessible events designed to develop coordination, strategy and communication—skills that sit at the heart of great sport and strong leadership.

Brilliant performances across multiple events

The team took part in a wide range of inclusive activities, including boccia, indoor curling, poli-bat, 10-pin bowling, sitting volleyball, and the ever-popular goalball, a firm favourite on the day.

• Boccia was played excellently by Jacob, Robert and Mason, who showed real precision and tactical thinking. Each throw was considered, each decision purposeful, and the teamwork between pupils was a highlight for staff and supporters alike.
• Our curling team, Millie-Mae and Emily, performed superbly, working together to secure valuable points for the overall team score. Their success came from clear communication, strong decision-making and a calm approach under pressure.
• Xander took on EPA and Cromer in the poli-bat competition, learning a brand-new activity and still managing to score a huge amount of points for the team. Taking on something unfamiliar with confidence and determination was a brilliant example of the growth mindset we love to see.

Across all activities, pupils competed with energy and positivity, celebrating each other’s successes and showing sportsmanship in every interaction. The result was a set of well-earned silver medals and was a fantastic reward for their commitment and effort.

Celebrating inclusion, active habits and sports leadership

While the medals are an exciting achievement, the wider story is even more important: this festival was a celebration of our commitment to inclusive sport, ensuring that every pupil can participate, develop healthy active habits, and experience the pride that comes from representing their school.

Events like this also develop leadership in the most meaningful way—through pupils stepping forward to encourage teammates, model respect, keep going when things feel difficult, and try again. That’s sports leadership in action.

Mrs Long (Lead Teacher for Sports Leadership Development) said:
“I’m incredibly proud of every pupil who took part. They showed brilliant teamwork, determination and sportsmanship across the whole festival and many stepped outside their comfort zone to try new activities. Coming home with silver medals is a fantastic achievement, but the confidence, resilience and enjoyment they showed throughout the day is the real success.”

Thank you and well done

A huge congratulations to everyone who represented the school so positively and supported each other throughout the day. We’re proud not only of the points and the podium finish, but of the way pupils embraced inclusive competition and demonstrated the values that sport can teach so powerfully.