Panathlon’s many benefits for Key Stage 1 children with disabilities and special needs were highlighted by school staff at our multi-skills competition in Leeds on 3 April.
Panathlon has been running programmes for Key Stage 1 children since our return to face-to-face delivery after the pandemic. The events feature subtle adaptations to some of our KS2 multi-skills activities and place slightly less emphasis on the competitive element, but essentially adopt the same proven format of our pre-existing programme.
Staff from 11 schools who took part in our Key Stage 1 event at Armley Leisure Centre in Leeds this week (delivered with the Leeds Well Schools Partnership and Leeds Rhinos Foundation) were effusive with praise about the impact on their pupils.
“These activities really help the holistic development of Key Stage 1 children,” said Andrew Rowney, Deputy Head at Horsforth Newlaithes Primary School. “They contain a real variety of skills, with colours and numbers playing a big part, but they’re all so accessible.
“Doing them in small groups is perfect for them. These children may not always find those things easy in school, but in a smaller group situation it’s a lot easier for them to succeed and achieve. It helps them understand taking turns and makes them feel part of a team. They can have a go and achieve success whatever their extra needs may be. It’s so incredibly valuable for them.”
Horsforth Newlaithes have placed greater emphasis on physical activity in school this academic year, recognising the strong links between being active and achieving in the classroom. Mr Rowney said that SEN pupils sometimes struggle with in-school competitive sport when they’re mixed with mainstream children, so was grateful for an opportunity like Panathlon.
“The children we have here today do additional sensory work and have plenty of breaks from learning in school in order to succeed. We have to make adaptations in school, but this environment is perfectly tailored for them. We’re looking forward to celebrating their achievements in front of the whole school.”
Emma Riggs, class teacher and SENCO at Christ the King School, also emphasised the importance of younger primary pupils having their own bespoke environment where they can explore sport and take their first steps into competition whilst still feeling safe and comfortable.
“Our school is very inclusive and every child will get the chance to represent school at some point, but to have a specific event for them is phenomenal,” she said.
“These games develop the skills of taking turns, their understanding of working as a team, being a good team member by encouraging your friends, celebrating each other’s achievements – and a big one is resilience.
“It’s really beneficial in the way that it builds the children’s confidence. Sometimes it’s difficult for children with special educational needs to feel like they achieve every day in class, but to come out and score points and feel part of a team is invaluable. All the parents were so excited for them to come and this will be celebrated back at school just like any other child’s achievement.”
For behavioural support officer Angela Tennant from Five Lanes Primary, the key element of the impact was independence. “That’s a really important thing for these children to learn,” she said. “They obviously get guidance from the young leaders, but once the whistle goes, they have to do it themselves.
“These are such good activities for engaging them because no-one is sat down doing nothing. They’re all active even though they’re taking turns. They don’t realise it’s a competition, they’re just enjoying having fun, which wouldn’t be the case with Key Stage 2!”
The differences between Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils was also emphasised by the excellent Young Leaders from Leeds West Academy, most of whom had officiated at a previous Key Stage 2 Panathlon competition.
Maddie, 15, said: “You have to be a little bit stricter with the Key Stage 1 kids because they don’t listen quite so easily when you’re explaining the rules. I learned how to change my language, take more time and making things a bit simpler. I’ve really enjoyed both days.”
Primary Sport Coordinator Jordan Clarke, who was supervising the leaders, added: “The biggest thing for them is having an awareness that not everyone has the same experience of sport as they do. They’re having to adapt to that and change not only their methods but the language they use.
“Working with kids with additional needs, they’re having to focus on elements they wouldn’t have to think about in previous work with their peers in mainstream. Then having to differentiate slightly between SEN kids in Key Stage 1 and 2, that’s even more for them to think about. I’m really proud watching how they have adapted.”
“As we continue to get more demand from schools this year we have run many Key Stage 1-specific events across the country and across a range of sports,” said Panathlon COO Tony Waymouth.
“The importance of Key Stage 1 is around development of their motor skills which then enables knock-on effects such as increasing confidence. The younger they start the more likely they will want to have a healthy lifestyle.”
