Alumna of the Year 2025: Voting is now open!

Croydon High has been successful in having an alumna shortlisted for the GDST Alumna of the Year award with Margery Swinton.

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Margery Swinton

Margery Swinton is a tireless champion for youth sport, inclusion, and education, whose work has transformed opportunities for children in rural Scotland.

Over a 37-year teaching career, including 14 years in her home village of Knockando, Margery dedicated herself to supporting children, both in the classroom and beyond. Even after retiring, she continues to work as a supply teacher and special needs educator.

Margery took up athletics at 42, becoming a registered coach and official for Scottish sport. She founded a rural athletics club to serve remote schools in the Highlands, ensuring that sport became an integral part of education in the region. Under her leadership, Knockando has become a hub for athletic excellence. She has raised over £75,00, including funding for a UKA-standard long jump runway, a 10-station fitness trail, and even a local skate park – all in an area with limited facilities and long travel distances to the nearest stadium.

As a World Masters athlete, Margery has competed internationally in the USA, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and beyond, winning medals in all three colours and always securing gold in her signature event – the hammer throw. She has held three British Masters records, several Scottish records, and continues to inspire with her achievements at age 82.

Her coaching has developed several national-level athletes. One of her protégés now trains with the Scottish National Sports Academy, ranked No. 2 in the UK for U20 long jump and hurdles, and another has been selected for Commonwealth Games training. Margery gives her time freely, obtaining equipment from ski resorts, maintaining tracks herself, and setting up virtual training programmes to support even the most isolated pupils.

Vote now!