Paralympic bronze medalist Anna Nicholson celebrated by local schools

Anna Nicholson won a Paralympic bronze medal in the F35 shot put event at the summer Games that were held in August and September.

Anna's medal-winning throw (Image: PA) Anna, who is a former William Howard School student with cerebral palsy, threw 9.44m to claim a place on the Paralympic rostrum and on Friday, September 4 was given a special homecoming by a pair of Carlisle schools. 

First, Anna visited Houghton CE Primary School, where her sister Katie works as a senior teaching assistant, to show the students her medal and the shot put she threw to win her bronze. 

At the event, she was quizzed by the students about her Paralympic journey as well as being asked 'if she had any superpowers', with Anna aptly responding that she has the power to do 'anything she believes she can'.

Anna was presented with a bunch of flowers and a card by Houghton CE Primary School students. (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ) After speaking to the students, Anna, spoke to the News & Star and reflected on her success and the support she has received from Cumbria.

She said: "I'm so excited to be here, it's so nice to be able to meet all of the kids and show everybody what people with cerebral palsy can do.

"Growing up I never saw disabled people doing sport on the TV. It is nice to show young people that they can do anything they want to.

"It's great to show the kids what I have done and hopefully inspire them to go on and do great things as well.

"The games were such an amazing experience and it still feels like it was a whirlwind and almost feels like it wasn't real but it has been such a long time in the making. 

Anna after receiving her bronze medal in Paris (Image: ParalympicsGB) "I knew I was in really good shape and that I could do well and to come away with a medal is a dream come true."

Anna's sister Katie added: "On the morning of her event, all the kids and teachers were sat watching it. I am just so proud of her because she has had this dream since she was younger and she is such an inspiration to the children."

Stephen Johnston is the headteacher at Houghton CE Primary School and thanked Anna for taking the time to come and inspire the school's pupils.

Anna at William Howard School (Image: William Howard School) He said: "Katie Nicholson is our very loved and valued senior teaching assistant and Anna's sister so the whole school watched Anna perform at the Paralympics and we were so proud of her.

"We were also so pleased for Katie and are delighted that she has taken the time to come in to school and celebrate her hard work and her achievement.

"The whole Houghton family are over the moon."

After her visit to Houghton CE Primary School, Anna was welcomed back to William Howard School, the secondary school where her path toward Paralympic bronze was started by teacher Tracey Croucher.

Anna and Tracey Croucher (Image: William Howard School) The school welcomed the medalist back to Brampton with an event that featured past and present students who presented her with a signed card and flowers.

The school also recognised World Cerebral Palsy Day, which is marked on Sunday, October 6, at the event, with headteacher Kath Pidgon expressing her pride in the former student turned Paralympic medalist.

She said: "As a school, we could not be prouder to welcome Anna back to William Howard following her incredible achievement on the world stage.

"Anna's Paralympic triumph has inspired our entire school community to dream big and strive for excellence.

Anna and Kath Pigdon (Image: William Howard School) "We are honoured to celebrate this with Anna and take immense pride and joy, knowing that her journey began right here."

Despite Anna winning her bronze medal just over a month ago in the French capital she is returning to training next week with her eyes set on more medals at upcoming competitions, including the upcoming World Para Athletics Championship.

She said: "This year has been such a fantastic year and I have had so many personal bests but I know that that is not it.

Poppy Patterson presented Anna with a bouquet and card signed by WHS students (Image: William Howard School) "I know that I am capable of so much more and there is a World Championships next year so that is the short-term aim.

"I am back in training next week and I am ready to get back into that routine and gear up for all the events coming up before the Paralympic in 2028 in Los Angeles."