“Panathlon has provided our learners with an amazing opportunity: the chance to participate and compete in events where they feel welcome, encouraged and it ensures inclusion within sport activities. In doing this, it has given learners the opportunities to build confidence in taking part in team games, trying new activities and communicating with other children from different settings.”
Gemma Rees is Primary Phase Lead at Pen y Cwm special school in Ebbw Vale, south Wales, which first discovered Panathlon in March 2023. Now they take between six to ten learners to every event they enter, along with up to four young leaders to support the day. It means that their young people from both primary and secondary have the chance to be involved.
“We try and give all of our learners the opportunity to participate so learners will change at each event,” says Miss Rees, “except for the bowling final where our team of four went on to win Highest Scoring Special School in Wales.”
She adds: “Personally, for us at Pen-y-Cwm special school, we are thankful for Panathlon for the amazing opportunities they have provided for all the learners that have been involved. For our primary learners, it has made a positive impact on their self-esteem and confidence in trying new and different activities, and to see how proud they are of themselves when they compete and win medals.
“Our secondary learners, the young leaders, have been to support the activities and they have always arrived back to school happy and asking when they can attend again, it’s built their confidence and skills with communication and helping others. This has also had a huge positive impact on their overall mental health and wellbeing.
“Even more, we have learners who keep asking when it is their turn to go and are always excited to hear when the next event is.”
The excitement is contagious, she says.
“When our learners returned from the last event, it was lovely to see how ecstatic they were that they had so many medals and a trophy. When returning to school you could hear their excitement and the happiness shone through, they could not wait to come and share that they had won. In fact, for a few days after we still had lots of excited children!”
Miss Bell recommends Panathlon to any schools considering getting involved.
“The opportunity for our learners is just amazing, to be part of a team and the chance to win against others but more importantly being part of something that they can enjoy and take pride in. The confidence boost in their self-esteem and overall wellbeing is what makes each event – to see our learners being part of something.”
