Over the last 18 months, Worth Valley Primary have embraced Panathlon.
Eight pupils participated in the Panathlon Challenge event at Zara Sports Centre in Bradford in October 2024, hosted by the school games lead – and that was just the start.
Ceinwen Lodge has been the headteacher at Worth Valley since September 2018.
“As a fiercely inclusive school, it is incredibly important to us that all children are given opportunities to take part in events like this, allowing them to feel included, successful and celebrate their achievements alongside their peers,” says Miss Lodge.
“Following the extremely positive feedback from staff and pupils who took part in the first Panathlon, we felt strongly that this experience should not be limited to just one setting. Across the Trust (Leading Learners), there are many children with complex needs, and it felt important that they were given the same access, opportunity and sense of achievement that we had witnessed first-hand.”
Worth Valley then hosted a Panathlon event for children from multiple schools across the Trust, representing a range of needs and abilities.
“The event was incredibly successful — pupils were fully engaged, proud of their achievements and clearly enjoyed taking part in a competitive event that was so genuinely inclusive. Staff feedback was overwhelmingly positive, particularly around the way the Panathlon allows children to succeed, feel celebrated and participate alongside their peers in such a supportive environment.”
And since then, Worth Valley have gone on to take part in the School Games Panathlon for the second year running in October 2025 – and they hope the Trust-wide event will become an annual institution.
“It has become a key part of our inclusive sporting offer and aligns closely with our values: Pride, Community, Ambition, Resilience and Integrity,” says Miss Lodge.
“The pupils who participate in our Panathlon events have a wide range of complex needs, including ASD, ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, phocomelia and chromosome abnormalities. Through Panathlon, these pupils feel empowered, safe and genuinely included, with opportunities to succeed alongside their peers. It allows them to develop confidence and to feel capable of achieving the same things as other children — something that is incredibly important for their self-esteem and sense of belonging.”
And Miss Lodge hopes Worth Valley’s Panathlon adventure will inspire others who might be considering taking part.
“Just go for it!” she suggests. “The benefits are endless. Take time to practise the activities beforehand, focus on celebrating effort as much as outcomes, and feel proud that your school is part of something so inclusive and special.”
