Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson Visits SGS Windsor

St George’s School Windsor Castle pupils were thrilled to receive a visit from highly-decorated Paralympian, prominent disability rights activist and House of Lords Crossbench Peer, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Attending the school’s annual awards day, celebrating the achievements of students across the school, Baroness Grey-Thompson spent time looking at and talking to the children about their work, before presenting certificates and encouraging the assembled children to, “work hard, work smart and find something you love doing.”

Baroness Grey-Thompson went on to explain, “When I was at the age these children are now, I started doing physical activity. I tried so many different sports and only after a lot of trying, eventually found something I was great at. My message to the children today is to never be afraid to try different things and to make the most of the fantastic opportunities St George’s offers, because if they do, they can achieve some really amazing outcomes.”

Travelling straight from the event to the Houses of Parliament to take part in a debate pushing for mandatory defibrillators in every school, Baroness Grey-Thompson even took the time to record a video message for the students she did not have time to meet.

“It was a real honour to welcome Baroness Grey-Thompson to our school,” said William Goldsmith, head at St George’s School Windsor Castle. “We are very grateful to her for taking the time out of an incredibly busy schedule to help our children celebrate their efforts over the past year and offer some tremendously inspiring insights into her life and work. I don’t doubt that these words will stay with the students as they continue to grow and develop the skills they need to leave St George’s, truly real-world ready.”

In addition to Baroness Grey-Thompson, the event was attended by Rachael Westgarth, CEO of Round Square, a network of more than 200 like-minded schools across 50 countries. Round Square’s philosophy, fostering the importance of international understanding, democracy, environmental stewardship, adventure, leadership and service, underpins the school’s St George’s Awards programme.

By taking part in fundraising activities, project work and self-led tasks, all students at the school work towards the Pioneers Award across Years 3 and 4, the Explorers Award across Years 5 and 6, and the Trailblazers Award in Years 7 and 8. Designed to connect learning with the real world, the programme provides children with an additional opportunity to develop their resilience and self-confidence.

See SGS Windsor Castle’s online listing here.