Panathlon are celebrating another wonderful academic year – with incredible numbers of young people taking part in our events across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We have welcomed 3,928 schools to Panathlon over the last 12 months – that’s a sensational rise of 23 per cent from last year’s figures.
And when it comes to the number of individuals getting the opportunity to take part in Panathlon events, we’re proud to announce an 11 per cent rise to 74,383 – up from a still-impressive 66,706 last year.
That includes 9,661 young leaders – a 12 per cent increase from 2024.
“Once again it is fantastic to report a record-breaking number of young people benefiting from all forms of Panathlon activity in the last school year,” says Liz Johnson, Panathlon chair and Paralympic champion. “To know that over 56,000 young people with SEND competed together, with a further 8,500 participating in school, shows the power of competitive sport for young people.
“Additionally nearly 10,000 young leaders enabled these activities to take part and benefited themselves in the process.
“I am delighted that Panathlon once again has shown it is the leading charity delivering competitive sporting opportunities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. I congratulate and thank everyone who made this possible.”
“The thrill of inclusive activity”
But it’s not just about the figures – it’s about the people behind those statistics.
“As increasing numbers of children in the education system are being classified as SEND, it means that there is also increasing need for opportunities to allow children to have a outlet for appropriate participation,” says Tony Waymouth, COO of Panathlon.
“That’s where Panathlon comes in. There’s more need for encouragement and support for school staff to understand exactly what’s possible and how to be inclusive within the school environment, and the practical side of Panathlon allows live training to occur – meaning children can experience first-hand the thrill of inclusive activity and changing practices within school.
“Panathlon continues to grow – with almost 75,000 young people taking part in events last year. We are meeting the increasing needs and demand that exists in this sector of education – and we also tailor our work through localisation strategies and pathway identity to allow flexible and inclusive practices to be at the forefront of live change.”
“Giving children their own safe space”
Richard Moore, deputy head and inclusion lead at Cottenham Primary in Cambridgeshire, highlights just a few of the benefits pupils have experienced. He lists things such as team identity and improved social skills as well as improved gross and fine motor skills. Not only that, but it sets them up brilliantly for the future, showing them how to lead, how to win and lose gracefully, and how to represent an organisation when they are out there competing for the school.
Panathlon, he says, gives young people a break from academic demands and presents them with another domain in which they can shine. Staff, parents and peers can also engage with the events – and they see these competitors in a different light.
“Being able to offer Panathlon in the school environment is all about giving those children their own safe space,” he says. “They probably struggle a bit in mainstream PE lessons, so being in a smaller environment with fewer children, supported by their one-to-one TAs, with adapted equipment and activities, it’s a place where they can have some success.”
Thank you to everyone who makes Panathlon possible – staff, schools, competitors, young leaders, and all our funders and sponsors.
