East London Secondary Extend Panathlon Winners 2024
This year, we hosted the Redbridge Xtend Panathlon competition, with fifty-nine children from six schools taking part in the event and our Sports Leaders supporting the running of the event. Capitalising on home advantage, we went on to win 1st place for Chadwell.
This was, and always is, a great day that provided sporting opportunities for our students with disabilities and special educational needs in a variety inclusive sports and activities, bringing students together from different age ranges across the school and within the borough to celebrate their talent and successes.
Our students were very pleased to represent East London in the Secondary Xtend Panathlon final competition for the second year running. As a result of their enthusiasm, hard work and excellent teamwork they were crowned winners on the day. All those involved demonstrated excellent sportsmanship throughout the competition and were a credit to our school - we are very proud of their achievements.
Panathlon’s 16th annual Jack Petchey Outstanding Achievement Award - Ellie Stewart was awarded the runner-up prize.
Ellie Stewart has become a confident, independent role model for other disabled pupils at Chadwell Heath Academy – and her inspiring journey has been recognised with an award.
Ellie was given the runner-up prize in Panathlon’s 16th annual Jack Petchey Outstanding Achievement awards in honour of her “remarkable progression” in dealing with cerebral palsy and her Panathlon journey over the years.
When she joined Chadwell Heath in Year 7, Ellie was completely dependent on wraparound support from her Learning Support Assistant (LSA). Since then, she has had numerous operations, including a significant one in 2022 which caused her to miss a lot of school.
Ellie is the Panathlon ambassador at school – supporting other disabled students. She has become a role model and an advocate for Panathlon in school, having competed in the competitions for eight years. Since deciding to focus on her studies she has continued to be a consistent cheerleader for other pupils with disabilities – inspiring and mentoring a younger pupil with Cerebral Palsy to do his best and become more independent.
“As well as excelling in her academic studies, Ellie has always put time aside to support her younger peers and share her experiences of taking part in Panathlon. This has helped to motivate and at times put students' minds at ease, which I know they all really appreciate. She is an incredible role model, and this award is so deserved” - Mrs Garratt
https://panathlon.com/story/award-winner-ellie-is-an-inspiration-to-her-disabled-peers/
Youth Sports Trust & England Football Case Study
The Youth Sports Trust & England Football team approached our school to document the journey we have embarked on as a school to provide equal access to Football for both girls and boys and what it has meant for our cultural change at Chadwell.
Our Football Activators, from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, over the years have used Football as a tool to build a community of empowering female leaders, helping to promote participation by breaking down barriers and in turn inspiring others to know their gender is not one of them if they want to play Football.
“It’s not about the girls receiving more of, it’s about them receiving the same” – Mrs K. Garratt
Thank you for sharing our story, our journey continues.
London Youth Games ‘Spirit of the Games Award’
Huge congratulations to our Sports Leaders who were nominated by the London Youth Games Foundation for the ‘Spirit of the Games Award’ at the inaugural LYG Workforce Celebration Evening, supported by the City of London.
This recognition is awarded to a group of Young Leaders who have demonstrated the values of London Youth Games in everything they do, these are inclusion, integrity, and collaboration. Our young leaders are being recognised for their dedication and hard work whilst supporting the London Youth Games at this year’s Adapted Inspire Festival at Redbridge Sports Hub and various other events across the year.
“We are delighted to announce that the Spirit of the Games Award 2024 goes to Chadwell Heath Academy. A standout group where each young leader approached their role with enthusiasm and optimism which captured the hearts and minds of the SEND participants. They were respectful and extremely helpful, putting in the hours in before and after competitions.” – London Youth Games
