St Christopher’s School in Wrexham has been recognised at the Variety Disability Sports Awards 2026 for its commitment to ensuring young people of all abilities can enjoy the benefits of sport.

There’s something wonderful about celebrating the people and organisations making a real difference in our communities, and this latest achievement from a Welsh school deserves some recognition.

St Christopher’s School in Wrexham has won the Variety International Award for Active and Inclusive School at the Variety Disability Sports Awards 2026, held at @Sohoplace in London’s West End on 12 October.

The awards, organised by Variety, the Children’s Charity, celebrate achievements across disability sport, recognising everyone from world-class Paralympic athletes to the schools, volunteers and organisations helping to break down barriers to participation.

And among some truly inspirational winners, it was a school from North Wales taking home an award for its commitment to inclusion.

Creating Opportunities for Every Pupil

St Christopher’s is a specialist school in Wrexham, supporting children and young people aged between six and nineteen with a wide range of additional learning needs.

For the school, making sport accessible is about far more than physical activity. It’s about helping young people build confidence, develop friendships, discover new skills and experience the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a team.

The school has already demonstrated its commitment to inclusive sport through initiatives such as its sports leadership programme.

In 2023, a new Cruyff Court was opened at the school, providing a multifunctional sporting space developed in partnership with organisations including the Cymru Football Foundation, Sport Wales and Wrexham County Borough Council.

The facility provides opportunities for pupils to enjoy activities including football and basketball, helping make participation a possibility for more young people.

A Proud Moment for St Christopher’s

Following the announcement, a representative from St Christopher’s School shared their excitement:

“I’m so, so happy about it! I’m really proud of us for winning the award. We all try our best, and I think we all deserve it. I didn’t really expect us to win, so it’s amazing. It’s lovely!”

It’s a lovely reaction that captures just how much recognition like this can mean to the people involved.

Celebrating Sporting Achievement Across the UK

St Christopher’s was recognised alongside some remarkable names in disability sport.

Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead MBE received an award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, alongside junior wheelchair tennis player Matthew Knoesen.

The England Women’s Blind Football Team received the award for Outstanding Team Achievement, while Loughborough University was recognised for its contribution to accessible sport.

The ceremony celebrated not just sporting success, but the dedication of those working behind the scenes to ensure more people have the opportunity to take part.

Why Inclusion in Sport Matters

Sport has the power to bring people together, create friendships and provide opportunities that extend far beyond the playing field.

But not every child has the same access to those opportunities.

That’s why the work of schools like St Christopher’s matters. By creating an environment where young people with different abilities can participate, learn and achieve, they’re helping to demonstrate that sport really can be for everyone.

And while the awards ceremony may have taken place in London, it’s lovely to see a school here in Wales receiving recognition for the difference it’s making.

A huge congratulations to everyone at St Christopher’s School in Wrexham. What a fantastic achievement, and one Wales can be proud of!

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Find out more about St Christopher’s School and the work of Variety, the Children’s Charity.

Photography: Piers Allardyce, courtesy of Variety, the Children’s Charity / Chloé Nelkin Consulting.