Stormont House from the London Borough of Hackney were the victors in the 2025 National Panathlon Special Schools Swimming Final at the London Aquatics Centre, beating six other schools and 47 competitors who had travelled from as far away as Blackpool, Manchester, and Oxfordshire to compete at the prestigious London 2012 venue.
Stormont House secured victory with a series of outstanding performances across the race program, going one better than in 2024 when they were runners-up.
Last year’s winners Moor House from Surrey were second and Park Academy from Blackpool in third.
Kamil Hajdrych, teacher in charge at Stormont House, said: “The National Special Schools Gala proved to be an amazing swimming competition that offered a remarkable platform for special needs students, celebrating their achievements and promoting inclusivity. It was a chance to shine and showcase their talents on a national stage.
“Stormont House students managed to emerge as national champions. It was a fantastic success that boosted their confidence and inspired their peers at the school. They returned to the school with a profound sense of accomplishment and pride.
“Beyond the personal achievements, the competitions organised by Panathlon Challenge greatly enhance physical and mental well-being. In this case swimming helps develop motor skills, coordination, and overall health, while also providing a calming environment that supports emotional well-being.
“Ultimately, swimming is more than just a sport; it’s a vital life skill and a form of therapy. For these national champions, the experience strengthens their resilience, fosters independence, and encourages a balanced lifestyle, positively impacting their academic performance and overall happiness.
“On behalf of our Stormont House School, our students and myself I wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the organisers and all the participants. Your dedication and effort made this event truly memorable, and we are grateful for the wonderful experience and the positive impact it has had on everyone involved.”
Matthew Crowhirst, Head of PE at Moor House, said: “The team’s success was built on months of disciplined preparation, particularly their Thursday morning training sessions. The Panathlon organisers should be proud of the calibre of competition showcased. We are proud of our students’ commitment – especially their Thursday morning training discipline – was evident in their remarkable performance. They leave the Finals inspired, motivated, and ready to build on this success in future events.”
Stu Johnson of Park Academy said: “We made a trip of a lifetime for our team, visits to the National Library Museum, seeing Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. The team also has shown immense commitment in preparation in the lead-up to the swimming finals in London; we have focused on building both skill and confidence among our pupils. To support this, we introduced an after-school swimming club every Thursday evening, which have focused on fun and enjoyment of being active. These sessions have been well-attended and have helped create a strong sense of teamwork and commitment among participants.
“Additionally, several pupils have taken the initiative to join local swimming clubs at the weekends, giving them access to professional coaching and more intensive training. This extra effort outside school has significantly boosted their stamina and swimming technique. With these combined preparations, we are confident that our swimmers will represent us with determination and pride at the finals. It’s always a highlight of our school year and we already have number of Key Stage 3 pupils waiting to join the team when they get into Key Stage 4.”
Tony Waymouth, COO of Panathlon, added: “This gala shows the importance special schools place on swimming as a activity. The pre-event preparation, the development across year groups to sustain their swimming teams across multiple years and linkage to community means that our swim events have a dramatic effect on the way schools see Panathlon in their calendars.”
We would like to thank Pentland Brands for their support and the young leaders from Richard Hale School in Hertfordshire in again making National Finals day such a success.
