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Young sports leaders have been awarded for their work with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Burnt Mill Academy holds inclusive PE sessions for primary school pupils with SEND who may otherwise struggle to access the curriculum.

A team of students have taken on the role of sports leaders to help to run the sessions and assist pupils with their PE lessons at the school in Harlow.

As a result of that work, the students have been asked to attend and help out at various events around the county hosted by Panathlon.

The school has now been named Newcomer of the Year in the Jack Petchey Panathlon Achievement Awards for the sports leaders’ work in leadership.

Phil Dawes, director of PE across the BMAT schools, received the award at a celebration ceremony at the John Lewis Olympic Suite, at Westfield, Stratford, with sports leaders Olivia Tyne and Shaun Amankwaa.

Mr Dawes said: “The Panathlon charity hosts events for disabled children around the world and last year started to invite our students to help with their activities in Essex.

“I have been really impressed with our sports leaders and the work they have been doing with children with SEND. They are so empathetic with the children they work with and have established a great rapport with them.

“The success of the sports leaders and this award is testament to the work they have done in school and outside. It is great for them to be given these opportunities.

“In February, they will be helping out at a swimming event at the aquatic centre at the Olympic Park. All of this started from our inclusive PE sessions and has built from there.

“I would like them to consider a career in sport off the back of the work they are doing as sports leaders. Sport is not just a bit of fun, it can be a successful career for them.”