News

Gail Emms Visit

19.05.2011

On Tuesday 10 May, the academy was privileged to have Gail Emms, Olympic badminton champion for the day!

Emms who retired after the 2008 Beijing Olympics first picked up a racket at the age of 4. She has then won a huge amount of Gold and Silver medals making Britain extremely proud. In 2009, Gail was awarded an MBE!

The British Olympian started off the day by talking to the Year 10 and 11 students, followed by the Sixth Form students who are doing a sports course. Later on she gave the sports leaders and students in Years 7 and 8 a master class in badminton.

Gail brought her Olympic medals to show everyone and she was very down to earth and gladly had her photograph taken, and signed autographs at break and lunchtime.

“It was exciting to see what a real Olympian is like!” - Danielle Houghton (Year 11)

“It was a fantastic experience and inspiring to have someone who has achieved so much in our school, hopefully she will visit again soon!”

Report by Charlotte Highcock (Year 11)