A games area which will make sport more accessible for youngsters with disabilities has been opened at a Norwich school.
Students at The Clare School, on South Park Avenue, celebrated the official opening of the £67,000 all-weather space on Thursday.
The school, which educates children with physical and sensory needs, secured the funds through donations from charitable groups, including Norwich Town Close Estate Charity, which donated £20,000.
The Geoffrey Watling Charity, Anguish Educational Foundation and North Sea Petroleum Golf Association were the other sponsors.
Sheriff of Norwich David Walker and Susan Watling, of the Geoffrey Watling Charity, officially opened the area, and afterwards youngsters and staff made the most of the autumnal sunshine as they gave the space a trial.
Gary Hydon, head of physical education at the school, said they were 'extremely excited' to be opening the facility.
'It will provide a safe, essential learning tool beyond the classroom for all of our pupils to use and extend our curricular provision,' he said.
'It will expose pupils to new sporting opportunities without the confines of four walls, low ceilings and muddy grass that wheelchair users are unable to access.'
He said it would help keep pupils active and healthy during breaks and would be another place where 'play can take off and flourish'.
It will enable youngsters to enjoy fresh air when they play sports including basketball and football.
'This will add to and enrich the excitement, fun and power that PE is able to provide,' he added.
'We are very thankful to all of the sponsors for providing us with such a great sporting facility.'
The campaign to see the multiuse games area added to the school began last August.
In 2011, the school was rated outstanding by Ofsted, and last April the watchdog confirmed that the school deserved to retain the top grade.
Inspectors said the school was a 'positive, vibrant' place to be.
• Do you have an education story we should be writing about? Let us know by emailing education correspondent Lauren Cope on lauren.cope@archant.co.uk
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