VIDEO: Paralympian visits new high-tech primary school (From Streatham Guardian)

VIDEO: Paralympian John Worrall visits new high-tech Livity School in Streatham

6:00pm Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News

A Paralympian has urged more modern facilities to be built for special needs children after visiting a new high-tech primary school.

The Livity School invited London 2012 sitting volleyball competitior, John Worrall, to the site of their new £10m purpose-built school in Adare Walk, Streatham Hill.

Mr Worrall, who lives in Clapham, said: “It’s an incredible facility and I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.

“There are a lot of children who would absolutely benefit from a place like this and it would be brilliant to see more schools like this around the country.”

The school’s move, scheduled for September, was delayed after rain and storms took their toll and held up building work at the site.

After a 10-year struggle, Livity will open its doors to 90 children with complex needs in the new year after moving from the current site in Brixton Hill catering for 70 students.

Headteacher Geraldine Lee explained campaigns for a modern school facility began in 2001, but problems with funding and finding a site prevented construction.

She said: “It’s been quite challenging.

“This is an innovative building, not just because of its design, but because of what it’s going to offer.

“It’s way in advance of what we’ve got at the moment and I think it’s way in advance of other schools as well.”

Visiting the new site on Friday, September 28, Lambeth Council’s leader, Steve Reed, said: “It sounds like the children are going to get one of the best specification special needs schools anywhere in the country.

“The new building will transform some young lives.”