Chigwell School proudly upheld its cherished tradition with the much-anticipated Speech Day 2026, held on Saturday 4 July.
The day began with services at St Mary’s Church before pupils, parents, staff, governors, Old Chigwellians and guests gathered to celebrate another successful year at the school. It was a fitting occasion to reflect on the many academic, sporting, creative and personal achievements of our pupils and recognise those who have excelled throughout the year.
Guests heard inspiring speeches from our Chair of Governors, Mrs Serrelli, and our Head, Mr King, before we were honoured to welcome our special guest speaker, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.
One of Britain’s most celebrated Paralympians, Baroness Grey-Thompson won an extraordinary 11 Paralympic gold medals during her sporting career. Today, as a member of the House of Lords and a leading advocate for disability inclusion and accessibility, she continues to inspire through her commitment to creating a more inclusive society.
In a powerful and engaging address, Baroness Grey-Thompson encouraged pupils to embrace challenges, remain resilient and never lose sight of their ambitions. Reflecting on her own journey, she spoke about the importance of perseverance, determination and believing in yourself, reminding pupils that setbacks are often stepping stones to success. Her inspiring words resonated throughout the audience and served as a fitting message for pupils as they look towards the future.
The Prize Giving ceremony was a highlight of the day, recognising pupils for their outstanding achievements across academic subjects, sport, music, art and co-curricular activities, as well as their contributions to their houses. Each prize
winner was warmly applauded as they took to the stage to receive their well-deserved awards.
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt and inspiring speech from our Head Pupil, Raheel, whose reflections captured the spirit of Chigwell School and celebrated the experiences, friendships and opportunities that have shaped pupils throughout their time at the School.
Speech Day also marked a poignant farewell to our Year 13 leavers, who will leave a lasting impact on the Chigwell community. We wish them every success as they embark on the next chapter of their journeys.
Congratulations to all of this year’s prize winners, and our sincere thanks to Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson for sharing her time and inspiring words with our school community. We also extend our thanks to our governors, staff, pupils and parents for making Speech Day 2026 such a proud, memorable and fitting celebration of another exceptional year at Chigwell School.
Categories: Chigwell School
