A GROUP of primary school children savoured the atmosphere at the closing days of the Paralympic Games last week.

Year 5 and 6 students from Corporation Road Primary School, in Darlington, spent two days at the Olympic Park, sleeping overnight in a local school and watching some memorable sporting achievements.

Among the events taken in by members of the 70-strong group included five-a-side football and wheelchair rugby.

The school purchased Olympic Park tickets over a year ago. Since then, a number of fundraising activities have taken place in an effort to keep costs down.

Headteacher Peter King said: “At the time, I wondered whether my enthusiasm would be enough.

“But the staff, children and their parents got right behind the idea straight away.

“I can't thank the generosity of the school in Hackney too much, true Paralympic spirit, nor have I got anything but praise for my own staff, who helped turn a rather ambitious idea into reality.”

Mr King added: “Just to be at the Paralympics was amazing in itself.

“However what really stood out for all the staff was seeing our children enthusiastically cheer on Team GB in the wheelchair rugby match against France “ We saw Princess Anne and David Cameron in the crowd, but nobody cheered our country on louder or more colourfully than the children from Darlington.

“I'm so pleased that we made the effort to go to the Games, it was one of the best things I have ever done in my career and it will provide the children with memories and experiences that they will keep with them forever.

“They will always be able to say 'we were there' and I think that's something to cherish.”