On Monday 6th March the students coped amazingly well with an impromptu drop in by a group of professional athletes representing Sky Sports - Living for Sport programme. The athletes were from a range of sporting backgrounds including Rugby Union, Rowing, Triple jump, Swimming, Beach Volleyball, and Water polo. Many of the athletes had successfully won medals at previous Olympics and played for their country. 

The Athlete Mentors within the programme work nationally providing free initiatives to all secondary schools. Their drop in session at Venturers’ Academy was to help with their Professional Development Training and enhance their understanding of Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). 

Thinus Delport, International Rugby Union player for South Africa said that they hoped the day would ‘help with awareness and interaction, rapport building and develop their engagement techniques with SEND and selective mute children.’ 

The students enjoyed the additional support during lessons, as well as a PE session with students from Merchants’ Academy on the playground. Overall the Athlete Mentors felt it had been ‘a great learning day’.