With under one year to go to the Paralympic Games, over 2500 London schoolchildren of all abilities came together to take part in the country’s biggest inclusive school sports competition.

School teams - all of which included children with and without Special Educational Needs - from all six host boroughs competed in Paralympic sports such as Wheelchair Basketball, Goalball and Archery at the Hackney Schools Sports Championships, organised by The Learning Trust.

The fourth year of the Championships took place between Monday 10 October and Friday 14 October 2011, and was the biggest event to date. Even children as young as 3 took part this year at a special Children’s Centre day held on Friday 7 October.

For some students, it was the first time they experienced Paralympic sport such as Boccia or Wheelchair Basketball. Many others had tried Paralympic sport at their schools, following work by The Learning Trust to ensure Hackney’s PE lessons include all pupils, regardless of their ability.

In addition to competing each day in the various sports, schools received coaching from Paralympians including swimmer Dervis Konulrap, 2012 wheelchair basketball hopeful Helen Turner and representatives from the British Wheelchair Basketball Association.

For further information contact Aneurin Wood, Principal Disability & Equalities Policy Officer, on 020 8820 7404.

Have a look at our videos from The fourth Hackney Schools Sports Championships 2011 below...