Accessible and Active: the 3rd ISA Inclusive Festival of Sport

Leighton Park students were excited to deliver the School’s third annual ISA inclusive Festival of Sport on Tuesday 17^th June, in association with Power2Inspire. The six Sixth Formers from the CTech Sports course and the 25 Year 10s from our vocational Sports Leadership Qualification were eager to try out their coaching skills with younger pupils. The participants came from eight local schools, including Addington School for children with severe learning difficulties, and included a number of our Fryers from Years 7 and 8 joining in the fun! The accessible sports programme featured sitting volleyball, rugby, football, kwik cricket, boccia and goalball.

John Willis, founder of Power2Inspire and inspirational inclusive sport role model, was delighted that the event has grown from 40 pupils to almost 100 since the initial delivery in 2023. “This is a wonderful festival because it gets everybody, regardless of their ability, to play together, to make new friends and to have fun!”

Emily from the ISA was equally enthusiastic saying: “As an association we are really driven to push inclusive sport across our sports programme and across all of our member schools. It’s fantastic to see all these children enjoying sport in a comfortable environment with their peers; long may it continue!”

Sam (Lower Sixth) who was teaching goalball as well as acting a security and the joint marketing and media officer as part of his CTech Sport course commented: “I think the involvement and engagement of the Festival is the most worthwhile thing. While it helps to keep the participants healthy, it also gives them an opportunity to try new things and make new friends, which I think during everybody’s years in school is extremely important.”

Lily (Lower Sixth) is also a CTech Sport student and responsible for leading the kwik cricket activity, as well as being part of the first aid team and working with Sam on media and marketing for the event. Lily reflected, “The Inclusive Sport Festival is a worthwhile activity because it allows students who wouldn’t usually get the chance or support to participate in sports, have the opportunity to play games with new individuals to reach out and expand new friendships, which creates a sense of belonging. It also reinforces their confidence in themselves, this positive self-image extends beyond the festival, impacting other areas of life. Events like the Inclusive Sports Festival raise public awareness about the importance of inclusion in sports and the broader community. They provide a visible platform to advocate for accessibility, equal opportunities, and the celebration of diversity.”

The event is part of the School’s active partnerships and outreach programme which engages local pupils from less advantageous backgrounds and encourages access to opportunities such as reading support, maths support, food tech, sport, dance and art.

Lily shared: “What resonates mostly with me regarding the Inclusive Sports Festival is the Quaker value of service, which is evident in the School’s encouragement to support the local community. Being involved in these activities has strengthened my sense of responsibility towards others and reinforced the importance of giving back.”