Olympic athlete inspires school children with surprise visit

An Olympic silver medallist visited a school to inspire pupils.

Team GB athlete Helen Glover, MBE, made a surprise visit to St Ann’s Primary School in Reading, encouraging students to adopt a positive mindset and pursue their ambitions.

Glover, who competed in rowing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, shared her experiences and discussed the importance of setting goals and taking action.

Her visit was a result of a prize draw run by NatWest, the official banking partner of Team GB, offering six schools across the UK a chance to receive a visit from a Team GB athlete.

More than 1,120 schools participated, with St Ann’s Primary being one of the lucky winners.

The initiative was part of the NW Thrive MoneySense programme, designed to help children aged five to 18 rethink their approach to money and build the confidence and skills necessary for their futures.

Bridget Tobin, headteacher at St Ann’s Primary School, expressed her delight at Glover’s visit.

She said: "The visit gave our pupils a fantastic chance to learn about setting goals, overcoming challenges, and staying focused on what matters most.

"Helen shared her personal story, showing our pupils how determination and resilience can help them achieve their dreams."

The NatWest Thrive MoneySense programme has been supporting young people for more than 30 years, aiming to enhance their financial knowledge and confidence.