INSPIRED by this year’s Paralympic games, a Blackburn school has opened its doors to students with learning difficulties.

A sporting partnership between students at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School and Longshaw Primary Special School in Blackburn has been formed as part of the school’s Olympic legacy scheme.

Since the start of the new academic year, eight pupils and carers from the school have attended the West Park Road school for two hours every Thursday morning.

QEGS provides minibus transport to and from their school in Blackburn and pupils from the sixth form use the opportunity to bond, talk and get to know the children through adapted sports and sensory events.

Mark Butler, director of PE and games, said: “I am amazed and astonished by the impact this experience is having.

“Not only on the Longshaw pupils, whose enthusiasm and cheery smiles offer a permanent feel good factor, but in particular on our students.

“Carers have said the visit to QEGS is the highlight of the week for their children.”