For the past eight years, Quilters Junior School in Billericay has hosted something truly special: Paralympic Week.
It has become one of the highlights of Power2Inspire’s calendar, a shining example of what inclusion, resilience and joy look like when sport brings people together.
The beginnings
When we first brought Paralympic Week to Quilters, the goal was simple, give pupils the chance to experience the thrill of adapted and inclusive sports. From the very first year, the pupils embraced the challenge with open arms and loud voices… proving that sport is more than just competition; it’s about teamwork, kindness and fun.
The formula
Over the years the week has developed its own rhythm. Each day focuses on a different year group, from Year 3 to Year 6, with older pupils often stepping up to guide the younger ones. Goalball, sitting volleyball, sitting netball and new age kurling are now familiar favourites, and the message is clear:
- I can’t do it… yet!
- Never give up!
- Practice makes progress.
These three learnings are repeated year after year, becoming a mantra for pupils and staff alike.
Moments that stay with us
Every Paralympic Week is packed with memorable moments:
- The sheer noise and joy of Year 5s in their competitions.
- Year 6s stepping up as ambassadors, teaching with empathy and leadership.
- Rosie Williams, a Quilters alumna and disability gymnastics champion, inspiring pupils with her dream of competing in the 2032 Paralympics.
- Special guests like Emma Brown, England Deaf footballer, joining in the fun and showing what’s possible.
- The annual staff tennis challenge — where Mr Mears somehow snuck away with the crown!
- And of course, the ever-popular assemblies at the Infants School, where John’s now-famous horse’s head drawing has finally earned him a Quality sticker!
Why it matters
Paralympic Week is more than just games. It’s about confidence, kindness and community. Pupils learn that sport is for everyone, that winning isn’t about points but about teamwork, and that perseverance leads to progress. For some, it’s the first time they’ve truly felt included in sport. For others, it sparks ambitions for the future.
A lasting partnership
For John, Paralympic Week at Quilters is one of the greatest joys of his role:
“I love my visits to Quilters and look forward to returning for as long as I can.”
For Quilters, it has become part of the fabric of the school… a week where values come alive in the sports hall, where children discover new strengths, and where the motto “No one left on the bench” is lived out every single day.
As we celebrate 12 Stories for 12 Years, Quilters stands out as a story of partnership, perseverance, and progress. Eight years in, and still going strong, Paralympic Week continues to remind us of the power of inclusive sport to change lives. And we can’t wait to see what the next chapters hold.
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