Pupils at a community school in Coleford had double reason to celebrate after England rugby international Jonny May helped to officially open their new inclusive sports facility.

On Wednesday, Heart of the Forest Community Special School opened the doors to its new permanent facility aimed at both the pupils and wider community.

Funded by UK's leading grant-making charity Wooden Spoon, the new pavilion, which includes a basic kitchen and changing facilities, aims to give pupils the encouragement to take part in sports activities and clubs.

Previously pupils and their families had often found recreational activities challenging due to the lack of adequate equipment and facilities or through a lack of experience and confidence.

But that is all set to change going forward, with the pupils given an extra boost with the presence of Gloucester Rugby winger May who cut the ribbon to signal the opening of the facility.

“It will make a huge difference and it’s vital in terms of getting our youngsters outside,” said head teacher Melissa Bradshaw.

“Our outdoor space was being under-utilised because no sooner had they walked down to the field but they’d have to go back to the main building to have their different needs met.

“We are hoping to develop this area even further and are looking at the possibility of archery so the children get the opportunity to try different sports.

“With Jonny playing for Gloucester and England, the children are meeting a hero and it’s absolutely stunning for them to be able to do that.

"They are just so enthusiastic and wanting to be part of it and to meet somebody different and someone they wouldn’t normally meet is incredible for them.”

Heart of the Forest Community Special School, which caters for children from 3 to 19 with severe and profound learning difficulties, will now have better access to their cycling track, large grass field and play area equipment.

The school also shares their facility with a local charity called Forest Pulse who will provide, weekend and holiday activities for children and young adults from the school and also the local community. 

And May revealed he had loved getting the chance to meet members of the community who are set to benefit from the new building.

“To open the facility is a huge privilege and the kids are awesome,” he said. “They’re a great group and it’s really nice they can make the most of the area thanks to the pavilion Wooden Spoon has helped to provide.

“It’s great to see Wooden Spoon use the money that’s raised in Gloucestershire to give an end product in Gloucestershire.

“It will allow all the kids here to get use out of this amazing field and have some good times here.”

Wooden Spoon volunteers in Gloucestershire raised £40,000 to help towards the cost of the pavilion with events at Kingsholm, Cheltenham Races and various golf days.

Chair of Wooden Spoon Gloucestershire Tim Heal said: “It’s proven to be a fantastic facility and it’s been well received by the school.

“What makes this facility so special, as we have seen today, is the joy on the faces of the children.”

Wooden Spoon is the UK's leading grant-making charity dedicated to helping disabled and disadvantaged young people through rugby, to find out more visit: www.woodenspoon.org.uk