Last week a group of our students took part in the very first ten-pin bowling competition as part of a new partnership between Co-op Academies Trust and Panathlon.

Panathlon is a national charity which gives young people with disabilities and special educational needs every year the opportunity to take part in competitive sport. This maiden Manchester competition is just the beginning for what Panathlon will provide for SEND students in our academies with more opportunities to come. Our Trust wants to offer competitive sports opportunities for everybody, particularly those who need them most. It’s about removing barriers and providing chances for children to fall in love with sport and competition.

Along with four other Co-op Academies Trust schools, our Co-op Academy Swinton team performed fantastically well and enjoyed the experience immensely. Our students were accompanied by Assistant Headteacher, Mr Stanley, who commented:

I came here with a certain amount of guilt at leaving staff behind, but when you’re here looking at the children’s faces, you realise this is really important and any sense of guilty disappears. From a social and wellbeing point of view, this is having a really deep impact. It will make them feel a much more significant part of our community because they are representing the academy. I really hope this is something that will grow and develop even more. 

Congratulations to our Swinton Team who excelled themselves with their determination, enthusiasm and exceptional behaviour representing our academy. Congratulations also to Co-op Academy Failsworth who were crowned champions!