Former student and Paralympic champion Naomi Riches MBE recently returned to NCW for a special visit to her old school, inspiring students and reflecting on the importance of specialist education for young people who are vision impaired.
Naomi’s return provided a wonderful opportunity for a trip down memory lane, as she explored familiar spaces, discovered what has changed and reflected on what has remained the same since her time as a student. During her visit, Naomi spent time meeting with current students and staff, sharing her experiences and speaking passionately about the importance and impact of specialist education for young people with visual impairments.
Students were especially excited to have the chance to explore Naomi’s Paralympic medals first hand, discovering that the braille on the medals was not the easiest to read — a moment that sparked discussion around accessibility and design.
A multiple Paralympic medal‑winning athlete and tireless advocate for inclusion, Naomi continues to be an inspiration to everyone she meets. Her determination, resilience and positive mindset were evident throughout the day, reinforcing her message that barriers can be overcome and ambitions achieved, regardless of the challenges faced.
Students were captivated by Naomi’s honest and engaging conversations, as she spoke about her journey from school life to elite sport and the vital role her education played in building confidence, independence and self‑belief.
We were also delighted that Naomi spent the afternoon recording a podcast with Sixth Form student Faith. Their conversation explored Naomi’s experiences, advice for young people with visual impairments and her reflections on returning to her former school. We look forward to sharing the podcast very soon.
Meanwhile, we are delighted to share this short film capturing the highlights of visit.
At NCW, we are incredibly grateful for our amazing alumni, many of whom — even years after leaving — remain keen to support the school in so many ways. By sharing their stories, inspiring current students and advocating for the College and the importance of visual‑impairment education, our alumni continue to make a lasting impact on our community. Naomi’s visit was a wonderful example of this ongoing connection and support.
We would like to thank Naomi for taking the time to visit and for continuing to inspire our school community. It was a truly memorable day for students and staff alike.
