Windsor Olympus Academy Welcomes International Delegation for Prestigious Nike and Youth Sport Trust Programme

7th October 2025

Windsor Olympus Academy, part of Windsor Academy Trust, opened its doors on Wednesday, 1st October 2025, to host an international delegation of award-winning Physical Education teachers, leaders and researchers from China. The visit was a key part of the prestigious Nike Active Schools Innovation Award, an initiative designed to transform the culture of sport in schools and share global best practices.

The event, facilitated in the UK by the Youth Sport Trust International, provided a vibrant exchange of professional practice and culture. The delegation of 17 teachers, accompanied by representatives from Nike and the Youth Sport Trust, observed a Year 7 PE lesson and engaged in deep-dive discussions with staff and students. Topics included Windsor Olympus Academy’s innovative PE curriculum, strategies for encouraging girls' participation in sport, and the school’s holistic approach to student health and wellbeing and its deep commitment to community development.

The visit concluded with the delegation experiencing Windsor Academy Trust's unique 'family dining' model, sharing lunch with students and staff in a further showcase of the school's inclusive community culture.

Sally-Jo Wilkinson, Headteacher at Windsor Olympus Academy, said: “It was an absolute honour to welcome our colleagues from China. We take immense pride in our PE and school sport provision, and to share that with an international audience was a powerful experience for our staff and students alike. The energy and enthusiasm was incredible, and our students were so engaged. This has been a fantastic opportunity to celebrate different cultures and our shared passion for helping young people from all backgrounds lead active, healthy lives.”

The visit is a clear reflection of Windsor Academy Trust's strategic commitment to 'Civic Leadership', which aims to ensure all children thrive by strengthening the communities the Trust serves. By acting as a community anchor, the Trust seeks to build lasting partnerships that create social value beyond the school gates.

Steve Lanckham, a senior leader at Windsor Academy Trust, who plays a key role in the Trust's partnership with the Youth Sport trust commented on the long-term vision: “This event is about more than a single day; it’s about planting seeds for future collaboration. We are exploring legacy opportunities with the Youth Sport Trust and Nike, including building lasting links with schools in China to foster ongoing global citizenship for our students. This is a powerful opportunity to learn from each other and build a legacy of partnership.”

Van Willerton, Windsor Academy Trust’s Head of Community Development said: “this visit aligns perfectly with our mission to act as a civic anchor, using our resources and community partnerships to create a positive impact on both an international and neighbourhood level.”

The Nike Active Schools Innovation Award provides a unique international learning journey for its winners, enabling them to apply new insights to their own teaching and research, and share China's experience with international counterparts. Windsor Olympus Academy was recommended by the Youth Sport Trust as an exemplar school for its comprehensive PE programme and commitment to  deep rooted community-orientated development work.