Teachers at Lawn Manor Academy have swapped their red pens for running shoes, proving to pupils that resilience isn’t just taught in lessons – it’s lived.
Four members of staff from the school completed this year’s Swindon Half Marathon, showing that with a bit of grit, goals that once felt out of reach can be conquered.
English duo Ruby Freeman and Dan Jacklin clocked an impressive 2 hours 25 minutes, closely followed by Spanish teacher Begona Diez at 2 hours 26 minutes. Meanwhile, maths teacher Abbie Walldock, tackling her first ever half marathon, crossed the line in 2 hours 39 minutes – a personal best in more ways than one.
Abbie admitted the challenge had taken her further than she’d ever gone before:
“I had never run more than 10K before, so the sense of achievement crossing the finish line was amazing! We wanted to inspire pupils to aim high, try new things, and believe that anything is possible with commitment and determination.”
Head of School Russell Langdown was quick to praise the quartet’s efforts:
“We are incredibly proud of our staff. They are fantastic role models, showing our pupils that if you set your mind to something and put in the effort, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible.”
By taking part in one of Swindon’s best-loved community events, the teachers hope their pupils will see that perseverance – whether in exams, hobbies, or on the roads of their hometown – always pays off.
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust. More information at www.lawnmanor.org.
