Hundreds of students showcased their athletic skills and sportsmanship at Meridian Trust’s 2024 Athletics Championships and the inaugural Meridian Trust Special Schools Sports Festival.
At the Bedford International Athletics Stadium, more than 550 students from 13 schools participated in the annual Athletics Championships. The event featured a Cup competition for the top six teams from last year and a Shield competition for the remaining schools. Each team, consisting of six boys and six girls per year group, competed in running, throwing, and jumping events, culminating in thrilling relay races.
Sharnbrook Academy emerged victorious overall with 1,651 points, narrowly edging out Swavesey Village College by just eight points. Sawtry Village Academy secured third place.
The championships saw 16 records shattered by students from nine different schools, some of which had stood since the competition’s inception in 2018. Noteworthy achievements included Lucie Heljula from Sharnbrook Academy breaking the Year 8 Girls’ high jump record, and Lewis Legge from Nene Park Academy setting a new benchmark in the Year 9 boys’ 800m. Tom Perkins from Sharnbrook Academy and Ethan Gibbs from Lincroft Academy each broke two records in their respective categories. The only relay record of the day was set by Sharnbrook Academy’s Year 10 boys, improving last year’s performance by 2.17 seconds.
Natasha Seabrook, PE and Sport Curriculum Lead for Meridian Trust, praised the event: “The students had a fantastic day and showed great sportsmanship towards each other. The atmosphere was electric, with students cheering on their own team members and those from opposing schools, showing great support for each other. It was a wonderful day to be part of, and everyone who took part should be immensely proud of themselves.”
The year group cup honours were awarded to:
Year 7: Sawtry Village Academy
Year 8: Lincroft Academy
Year 9: Swavesey Village College
Year 10: Sharnbrook Academy
The plate honours went to:
Year 7: The Ferrers School and Stamford Welland Academy
Year 8: Ely College and Bishop Laney Sixth Form
Year 9: Nene Park Academy
Simultaneously, the Meridian Trust Special Schools Sports Festival marked a milestone with its first edition at Northstowe Secondary Academy. Pupils from NeneGate School, The Harbour School, and Martin Bacon Academy engaged in a multi-skills competition facilitated by the Youth Dreams Project. Events included sprints, speed bounce, distance throw, accuracy throw, standing leg balance, egg and spoon race, throwing activities, and an obstacle course.
AJ, a Year 4 student from NeneGate, enjoyed the egg and spoon race the most, while Gerson, a Year 6 student, appreciated the sprinting and the chance to interact with peers from other schools.
Catherine Wilson, Headteacher at NeneGate School, highlighted the festival’s impact: “This first Sports Festival provided an opportunity for the three Meridian Trust special schools to collaborate on an event, which not only extended the boundaries of learning but also enabled pupils to develop confidence and resilience.”
The Harbour School clinched first place in the competition, with Ethan from Martin Bacon Academy being named the ‘Star of the Festival’ and Jamie from NeneGate receiving the ‘Special Recognition Award’.
Both events exemplified the Meridian Trust spirit of collaboration, achievement and community.
Elsewhere across Meridian Trust, Primary schools will be holding their own end of years sports and activity days.
