ABOUT US

A Brief History of SPRINT

When Frances Ryan returned to Paris from Malta in 1983, she expected to find appropriate support and services for English-speaking children with disabilities. Instead, she encountered a significant gap in provision. At the time, only a small number of therapists were available to support these children and their families, and many were struggling to meet the demand.

Recognizing the need for greater collaboration among professionals, Frances brought together colleagues who shared her vision. What began with informal meetings around pizza and wine in her home grew into SPRINT, an association dedicated to improving access to appropriate healthcare, education, and support for English-speaking children with disabilities and their families in France.

Alongside Frances Ryan, the four founding members—Carolyn Comfort, Jackie Todd, and Jane Plimsoll—worked tirelessly to build professional networks, raise awareness, and open doors that had previously been difficult for families to access. Their initiative laid the foundations for the association SPRINT is today.

Mother Teresa is often quoted as saying, “I always looked at the individual.” This principle reflects an approach that has remained central to SPRINT’s work: recognizing each child and family as unique, with individual needs, strengths, and aspirations. As the association’s work developed, SPRINT gradually grew, welcoming new expatriate members whose professional expertise, fresh perspectives, and enthusiasm helped shape its continued evolution

As SPRINT’s representative, Frances Ryan attended an ECIS (European Council of International Schools) workshop in Switzerland, helping introduce the association’s work to a wider international audience. She also visited the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., and the ERIC Clearinghouse (Educational Resources Information Center) in Maryland to explore resources and strengthen professional connections. More recently, SPRINT has been welcomed into the British Community Committee in France. Past and present members have continued to build valuable international networks in support of the association’s mission.

A Milestone in Inclusive Education

In 1985, SPRINT advocated for Gordon, a child who had been obliged to leave France with his mother because appropriate educational provision was unavailable. SPRINT arranged for him to return to France with his mother and classroom teacher to demonstrate how a class supporting children with disabilities could operate.

Of the 13 international schools in Paris approached, Marymount was the only school willing to take up the challenge. At the time, the other schools feared that accepting children requiring additional learning support might lead to them being labelled “schools for fools.” Marymount’s willingness to participate was therefore a significant step toward greater inclusion in Paris’s international school community.

The Birth of the Individual Learning Centre

Special thanks are due to Carolyn Comfort, SPRINT’s first treasurer, who developed the financial plan for a specialized class. Her work helped convince the board that the project was both worthwhile and achievable. One board member captured the sentiment perfectly: “How can we not do it?”

SPRINT’s first pupil was a six-year-old Lebanese boy whose family had been forced to leave Beirut because of the war. After six months of searching unsuccessfully for a suitable school in France, the family was still without a solution.

Creating a new school was financially unfeasible, so SPRINT pursued an alternative: persuading an existing school to establish a specialized class on its campus, keeping costs manageable while providing the support children needed.

This boy became the first pupil of SPRINT’s Individual Learning Centre (ILC). Five more children soon joined him, and the centre affectionately became known as the “I Love Children” class. What began as a pioneering initiative has continued to evolve and remains active today as a specialized department at Marymount School.

Another important milestone came in 1991, when Paddy, a child with Down syndrome, joined the Kindergarten class at Marymount. He was the first child with Down syndrome to enter the Anglophone school system in Paris, paving the way for others to follow.

Building on the needs identified by ILC graduates, the British School of Paris opened a Resource Centre in 1994, led by special education teacher Jeremy Daynes.

Supporting the Community Over the Years

SPRINT has helped many English-speaking healthcare professionals find fulfilling work in Paris. In its early years, some members described themselves as “trailing spouses” who were seeking opportunities to continue their professional careers while living abroad.

Through open conferences and in-service workshops, SPRINT has raised awareness among teachers, educators, and the wider international community about the experiences and educational needs of children with disabilities in France. Although challenges remain, the situation has improved over time. SPRINT’s early advocacy helped bring special education and learning support into the conversation within Paris’s international school community.

Recognizing the importance of family support, SPRINT established SPAN (SPRINT’s Parent Action Network), which evolved into KIDJAM under the leadership of Valérie Beatson and later into EKIPP (Exceptional Kids in Paris—and Parents Too), led by Erin Reeser and Kathleen Sperduti. These initiatives have helped sustain a vital network where families can find information, support, and connection.

Over the years, SPRINT has supported a range of initiatives to promote inclusion and improve services for children with disabilities and their families. SPRINT provided funding to Marymount and ASP to purchase specialized assessment materials when they were first establishing their services. In 2014, SPRINT donated an upright piano to KidJam. On another occasion, members chose to spend Christmas funds on tickets to see Buffo, a one-man show by Howard Buten, in support of his clinic for autistic adults. In partnership with EKIPP, SPRINT established a mini-grant program to help families facing financial difficulties access services and resources for their children. Each application is considered individually. SPRINT has supported families facing legal challenges related to their children’s access to education. In one case, after a child was refused admission to a bilingual school in Paris, SPRINT supported the parents as they pursued legal action. The case resulted in a successful ruling on the grounds of discrimination against a child with a disability.

SPRINT’s Continuing Impact

Like ripples spreading across a pond, SPRINT’s influence has grown over the years, reaching an ever-wider community. Building international connections remains an important part of our work, with recent links to the British Community Committee in France (BCC) and enquiries from as far afield as Hong Kong about support and services available for children with disabilities.

SPRINT’s vision is for inclusive education to become an integral, everyday part of school life throughout Paris. While challenges remain, we are proud to have helped hundreds of children and their families over the years. We remain committed to building on this work, strengthening partnerships, and promoting greater inclusion for generations to come.

Our 35th Anniversary Celebration…

In September 2021, SPRINT celebrated its 35th anniversary with a rooftop soirée in Boulogne-Billancourt, bringing together members and partners who had contributed to the association over the years. The evening was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, celebrate SPRINT’s achievements, and look ahead to the future. Enjoy the slideshow of photos from this special occasion.

Watch the speeches from our 35th-anniversary celebration below:

SPRINT would not be what it is today without the dedication of those who have contributed to the association over the years. We are grateful to our past and present presidents, secretaries, treasurers, and all the members who volunteer their time and expertise through our various working groups. Their commitment makes it possible for SPRINT to continue its mission of promoting inclusive education and healthcare for children with disabilities and their families.

Special thanks to :

Presidents:
Frances RYAN, Jackie TODD-MOREL, Deanna CANONGE,
Jane PLIMSOLL, Seta KAZANDJIAN, Graìnne DUNLEAVY, Rachel HAZELL-ROUX

Secretaries:
Jane PLIMSOLL, Michelle SMIRES

Treasurers:
Carolyne COMFORT, Judy BARRET, Michelle DAS,
Erika DUMMOND, Ruta GOURIOU

Vice-Presidents :
(since 2019)
Nialani GREEN, Jessica LAMENT, Alicia SABA , Ruta GOURIOU

Communication Coordinators :
Georgina PETERS MACDOUGALL, Munira ORSMOND