King Edward’s School, Bath is celebrating the selection of former pupil Hester Poole for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, where she will compete for ParalympicsGB in the Visually Impaired Para Alpine events.
Hester, 18, who left the school last summer, will take to the slopes in Italy in March, racing Slalom and Giant Slalom alongside her guide, Ali Hall. It marks her debut appearance on the world’s biggest para-sport stage.
Her selection was confirmed this week, with ParalympicsGB announcing that Hester will join teenage athletes Dom Allen and Sam Cozens as part of an exciting next generation of British para-skiers.
Hester first began skiing on the dry slope at Mendip at just six years old. She progressed rapidly through grassroots racing and made her international debut at 12, originally guided by her brother, Benjie, who also attended KES.
She earned her place on the national pathway through GB Snowsport, rising through the ranks of the Para Alpine Development Squad to the World Cup circuit.
Alongside her sporting success, Hester has also excelled academically. After achieving straight A* at A-Level, she has accepted a place at the University of Cambridge to study English.
Speaking following the announcement, Hester said, “I am thrilled to announce that I have been selected to represent Great Britain in the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. I want to thank KES for playing such a huge role in my journey.
“Making sacrifices is an inevitable part of reaching the pinnacle of sport, but KES made certain that I would never have to compromise on my education. So it is a massive thank you to all my teachers – who received, and had to read, scribbled, half-finished essay plans in place of the essays they had asked for; who showed unwavering belief in me, even when I couldn’t; who pushed me to achieve academically, in the classroom, on the slopes, and occasionally in the gondola.
“It may be true that it takes a village to raise a child; it certainly takes a school to send a student to the Paralympic Games!”
Headmaster Martin Boden said, “We are absolutely thrilled for Hester, whose amazing achievements embody the very best of King Edward’s School. Her determination and talent in her sport have always been evident, and her commitment to excellence both in and out of the classroom has always been inspiring.
“To see her now representing her country on the Paralympic stage, alongside her remarkable academic success, is a truly extraordinary accomplishment. The entire KES community is immensely proud of her, and we will be cheering her on every step of the way in Cortina.”
The whole school community has wished Hester and Ali Hall every success as they prepare for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.
