Kennet School has made history as the first school to receive the Lord’s Taverners 'Inspire' Award, recognising its work to make sport more accessible and open up opportunities for pupils with physical disabilities. This was the first time Lord's Taverners had considered presenting the award to a school, with Kennet chosen following consideration of more than 100 schools across England, Wales and Scotland.

Lord’s Taverners were particularly impressed by how Kennet had taken table cricket beyond their expectations, embedding it into both the school's House Events programme and the curriculum.

Mr Owen Joyce, Head of Kennet's Physically Disabled Resource (PDR), attended the Lord's Taverners Impact Awards at The Oval alongside pupils Oliver and Leah, where Kennet was announced as the winner.

Central to this recognition is Kennet's use of table cricket within its BTec Sport curriculum. According to Lord's Taverners, Kennet is the first school they have seen use the sport in this way, creating an accessible route for pupils to develop and demonstrate their practical skills.

For pupils in the PDR, table cricket offers the opportunity to represent their school, experience competition and enjoy taking part in sport. Their involvement goes beyond participation, with pupils also officiating alongside their peers as part of the curriculum.

Mr Joyce commented: “Prior to introducing table cricket, the only opportunity to represent the school at cricket would have been through traditional cricket. Table cricket has made this accessible. Pupils who have a disability can take an active part, enjoy the competitive element and enjoy the sport for what it is.”

The impact extends beyond participation. Oliver and Leah are the first pupils within Kennet's PDR to study BTec Sport, with assessments scheduled for the week beginning 12 October.

Mr Joyce explained that access to an appropriate sport can make a significant difference to pupils pursuing qualifications. Alongside practical participation, their BTec Sport studies offer opportunities to explore how they can support and improve someone else's performance. Table cricket gives them an accessible setting in which to develop these skills.

“Pupils can now aspire to have careers in sport,” Mr Joyce added. “Lord's Taverners have gifted us that.”

Mr Max Gayler, Acting Headteacher, added: “We are incredibly proud of Oliver and Leah, and delighted that Kennet's commitment to inclusive sport has received national recognition. This award reflects the dedication of our staff to creating opportunities that enable pupils to participate, achieve and pursue their ambitions. Seeing table cricket open doors to sporting qualifications and future careers is a wonderful example of the difference inclusive provision can make.”

The award celebrates the opportunities being created at Kennet: enabling pupils to compete, pursue qualifications and see a future for themselves in sport.

Watch the video >>> celebrating the impact of table cricket at Kennet School

Read more >>> about the awards night.