AFTER months of fundraising and planning, a Rooksdown school unveiled its brand-spanking new decking area and canopy.

Students, visitors and teachers at Saxon Wood School, a specialist school for children with physical disabilities, joined together to show off the Barron Place school’s new all weather decking play area – complete with canopy.

Worting Community Trust (WCT) trustees Roger Ashworth, Jean Day, Pam Freathy and De La Rue Holdings representatives Amanda Wiltshire and Gemma Hughill along with Frances Tozer from the Saxon Wood Association, a group of parents, staff and friends of Saxon Wood who work to support the school, and families of children associated with the school, attended the morning reveal.

Head teacher Richard Parratt addressed those present to explain that the project means children have access to outside play in all weathers and that the addition of a sunken trampoline has also been enthusiastically received by the children.

After the ribbon cutting, the group returned to the hall so thank you cards could be handed out by the children – followed by drinks and cakes.

Mr Parratt said: “The school had been expecting several years of fundraising before such a project could be fulfilled.

“However, with the generosity of the WCT, SWA and De La Rue the project has been completed within a year of the original plans being drawn up.

“Once again the support of the local community for Saxon Wood School has been overwhelming.”