The Coppice School are Panathlon’s 2026 England National Special School ten-pin bowling champions.
And teacher Alex Jardine is thrilled with the achievement.
“What started with us practising our bowling skills during a phonics lesson has turned us in to the national champions of Panathlon bowling!” says Alex. “Watching our pupils achieve this incredible milestone is the biggest reward we could ever have imagined. Our pupils often find day-to-day school tasks challenging and can struggle with confidence, communication and co-ordination but with support and their belief, they now stand proud as national champions and as a school we couldn’t be prouder!
“Taking them to each Panathlon event has been a journey filled with small victories long before the trophy was lifted. For many of them, travelling to a large venue, coping with the noise, following a different routine and staying focused on the task ahead was a huge achievement in itself. The support for their peers has been exceptional throughout the whole competition.
“The impact on our school has been remarkable. We were welcomed back with champion banners and dancing to everyone’s favourite ‘We Are the Champions’. Everyone has been inspired by our success. It has reminded us all that progress doesn’t always look academic and that achievement comes in many forms. This win has lifted the whole school, in particular empowering our pupils who now have more confidence and an ambition to achieve more.”
The Coppice School also boasted the highest individual scorer across the entire competition, with 141 points.
“It was amazing to see him jump with excitement every time he pushed his ball down the alley,” says Alex. “Scoring a strike and four spares is something we all would be proud of!”
Alex adds: “We can’t speak highly enough of Panathlon. Events such as these are vital for our pupils. They create spaces and events where our pupils can compete without feeling overshadowed or out of place. These events are designed with our pupils in mind, allowing them to shine in a variety of ways. We are already looking forward to competing again next academic year!”
Dave Rohman, Youth Sports Trust lead for Lancashire, where the Coppice School is based, says: “The Lancashire Panathlon Programme has gone from strength to strength in recent years and the reach across the county now covers all School Games Organiser areas. The programme sees a varied menu of opportunities that features ten pin bowling, multi-skills, boccia and new age kurling, all of which now have a meaningful pathway from local events through to county, regional and national competitions which enables children and young people from Lancashire Schools to showcase their abilities at levels that would not be available without the partnership.
“The partnership has never been as strong as it is today which highlights the importance of working so closely alongside Panathlon. Lancashire have been so fortunate as a county to have benefited from the professionalism, passion and commitment of Debbie Davies and her colleagues throughout the school year which has seen event delivery support, teacher and young leader training and a constant source of guidance not only in the events within the county programme but for inclusion as a whole.
“We have seen Lancashire Schools being crowned regional and national champions in recent weeks which has been amazing to see as it’s been the ideal way to bring the school year to a close. We are looking forward to the new school year and conversations are well underway with Lancashire School Games Organisers and Active Lancashire along with external partners such as Lord’s Taverners and University of Lancashire not only to maintain the existing opportunities but also to explore ways of creating new opportunities for many more children and young people to engage in the Lancashire Panathlon Programme for the 2026/2027 school year and many more years moving forwards.”
