Olympic Gold Medallist pays uplifting visit

On Wednesday 20 November 2024, we were honoured to welcome Olympic gold medallist and Biology graduate Bryony Page to Oakham School.

Bryony’s visit to Oakham began at Catmose College in the early afternoon, where she gave the assembled pupils an enthralling live display of her trampolining skills followed by a quiz for pupils of primary school age. The answer to the main quiz question was: ‘twenty-two somersaults and twelve and a half twists’!

Bryony then moved on to a Q&A session with Oakham School’s Sports Scholars, questions having been submitted in advance.  After supper, Bryony’s visit concluded with the highlight of the itinerary: a Torch Lecture and public interview with Upper School Biology and Sports Science students.  The title of Bryony’s talk from her BSc project at Sheffield University was ‘To what extent was acoustic signalling important in non-avian dinosaurs’?  The lecture was truly captivating and was the first time Ms Page had given a presentation on this topic.  Topics discussed in the interview included personal and sporting values, mental health, training as an elite sportswoman and her future aspirations.

The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks and a presentation.  Dr Nicoll of the Biology Department who hosted the visit said: “Bryony Page is one of the most accomplished individuals I have ever met. I don’t think there is anything she couldn’t do to the highest standard.”

We would like to thank Catmose College for arranging the trampolining display, the Good Vibes Only agency for their help and support, Leon Lloyd of Centrum Solutions for his professional input and British Gymnastics for supplying prizes for the quiz.