Panathlon ‘transformative’ for pupils at Roman Hill Primary

Panathlon has made such a positive impact at Roman Hill Primary School in Suffolk that staff have embedded our activities into the curriculum for pupils with disabilities and special needs.

Roman Hill’s pupils started taking part in external Panathlon competitions two years ago after being introduced to our programmes by Jeffrey Hoey, Partnership Development Manager at North Suffolk Sport & Health Partnership.

The impact on pupils’ mental health, confidence and enthusiasm for sport was so instant that the school’s head teacher Robert Lee bought our specialist equipment and made Panathlon ‘part of the furniture’ within the school environment.

Initially, staff organised a weekly Panathlon after-school club for their special needs (SEND) pupils, but this academic year they have expanded provision and established it as part of the weekly timetable.

“This year, it has just gone crazy!” says PE teacher Max Dawson. “We’re really proud of having so many children benefiting from Panathlon. Not many head teachers would have insisted it be part of the curriculum, but we see how much the pupils get from it.”

All of Roman Hill’s 111 SEND-registered pupils take part during the school year, with groups of 16 from each age group doing half an hour per week, in addition to PE lessons alongside their mainstream peers, as well as the Panathlon after-school club and competing in our external competitions (they won the Suffolk primary multi-skills county final earlier this term).

The positive ripple effect of SEND pupils having their own platform to excel in a sporting context is clear for all staff to see. After a few initial concerns, class teachers are now fully on board with this cohort leaving lessons one afternoon per week for their inclusive Panathlon session.

“A lot of teachers have noticed the impact,” says Mr Dawson. “And the difference in my PE lessons is unbelievable. They used to hide in the shadows and feel intimidated and self-conscious, but they are now much more positive and confident. On the playground at lunchtime, they’re a lot more vocal and join in with the mainstream children so much more readily.

“In my opinion that’s because they’ve had their own Panathlon lesson where they’ve been given an equitable chance to take part. In the Panathlon sessions, the children feel, ‘This is for me!’ It’s their chance to shine.”

Mr Dawson has started to include Panathlon activities within mainstream PE lessons and lets the SEND children use their experience to guide their peers. “They thrive in teaching the others what to do,” he says.

This has enhanced the stature of the SEND children within the school, as Mr Dawson explained: “They look upon them differently because they’re county champions. Panathlon is considered equal to mainstream sport in the other pupils’ eyes. They have built a bond. They see them as capable sports people, just like them.”

Roman Hill’s Assistant Head Teacher, Gemma Clarke, said: “We are incredibly proud of the children at RHPS who have taken part in the Panathlon and have made it all the way to the top! For children who too often get sidelined in sporting events, they have shown total dedication and sportsmanship and they should feel immensely proud.  

“Our PE department should also be commended for their ethos around inclusion and equity for all students. Panathlon is a wonderful opportunity and has become a core part of our school offer.”

Class teacher Martin McGuiness added: “For the SEND children in my class, Panathlon has been absolutely transformative. It has helped them grow hugely in terms of their confidence, it has improved their social skills and I feel it has also given them a real sense of belonging.

“I have seen children who were once reluctant to participate in PE lessons, now taking the lead within activities and even attending before and after school sports clubs. Their recent achievement of winning the county championships is something we’re all incredibly proud of.”

Jeffrey Hoey, Partnership Development Manager at North Suffolk Sport & Health Partnership, who helps organise and schedule Panathlon competitions in the region, said: “Roman Hill have gone through an accelerated journey in adpoting Panathlon within their school.

“Their embedded weekly Panathlon clubs give pupils the right skills and confidence levels to attend all our partnership inclusive opportunities. This preparation has allowed the children to excel, winning our local Primary Panathlon event and going onto showcase their skills by winning the Suffolk County final. Panathlon events have a strong place in our calendar and Roman Hill have truly embraced their values to the complete benefit of the pupils at their school.”

Panathlon’s Chief Operating Officer, Tony Waymouth, said: “Max’s passion for Panathlon was evident when he first attended one of our events. He has sought to upskill himself and fellow staff so that provision for SEN pupils is greatly enhanced and this has made a dramatic change on the school environment.”