St Mary’s School Welcomes Paralympian Speaker for Disability Awareness Month
As part of Disability Awareness Month and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, pupils at St Mary’s School have been taking part in a series of activities across the PSHEE curriculum. These include creating this year’s Pledge Christmas Tree, a tradition that began last year when students wrote personal pledges on how they would help break down barriers faced by people living with disabilities. Pupils will also be engaging once again with the Mencap “Merry Disco” project, helping them learn about inclusion, empathy and advocacy.
This week, the school was thrilled to welcome a very special guest: Jordanne Whiley MBE, MBA, PhD, a decorated Paralympian and former world No.1 athlete, who delivered an inspiring assembly about resilience, identity, and the power of self-belief.
An Extraordinary Sporting Journey
Jordanne began by sharing the achievements that many people know her for, her four Paralympic medals, her 16-year career competing at the highest level of wheelchair tennis, and her success at multiple international tournaments including the US Open. She explained that she continues to hold records as one of Britain’s most successful female wheelchair tennis players.
However, Jordanne emphasised that although her medals and titles are exciting, they are not the most important part of her story. “Achievements are what people notice,” she told students, “but the journey behind them matters so much more.”
Growing Up With a Rare Condition
Jordanne spoke openly about being born with a rare genetic bone condition, osteogenesis imperfecta, which causes extremely fragile bones. From three months old until around age twelve, she spent long periods in hospital recovering from repeated fractures. Doctors told her parents that she would likely never walk.
Despite this, Jordan described a childhood filled with determination. She first picked up a tennis racket at the age of three while recovering from another broken leg during a family trip. A photo of that moment remains one of her favourites. Years later, she returned to the same tournament in Tel Aviv and won, an experience she described as “coming full circle.”
Lessons in Resilience
Jordanne spoke candidly about the challenges of having an “invisible disability”—something not always immediately recognised by others. She shared stories of facing doubt, rejection, and low expectations, explaining how these experiences shaped her character.
“I’ve been told ‘No’ more times than I can count,” she said. “But those rejections taught me more than any of my successes.”
She encouraged students to focus on what they can control: their effort, their mindset, and their belief in themselves. Whether in sport, school, or future careers, she reminded pupils that nobody starts life as an expert. Every champion, leader, artist or athlete begins by being “really, really bad” at something and then improves through practice and perseverance. She also shared an inspirational quote that will stay with many of the girls and, hopefully, empower them to work hard and excel in whatever they choose to pursue:
“A bird doesn’t sit on a branch hoping that the branch doesn’t break — it trusts in its own wings to fly.”
Finding Strength in Support
Jordanne credited much of her journey to the people around her, family, coaches, teachers and friends who believed in her even when the path ahead was uncertain. Encouraging students to surround themselves with positive influences, she highlighted those opportunities grow when you have the right people supporting you.
An Inspiring Visit
The assembly concluded with warm thanks from our Head, Mr Fox, who was deeply moved by Jordanne’s honesty and powerful presentation.
Mr Fox commented: “Thank you so much for coming to St Mary’s and sharing your story with us. Your words were truly inspiring and your message of never giving up on your dreams resonates deeply with the ethos of St Mary’s.”
Jordanne’s visit marks a meaningful start to St Mary’s Disability Awareness Month celebrations, reinforcing the school’s commitment to empathy, inclusion and understanding and reminding students that with belief and resilience, they can overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.