DROITWICH Spa High School has opened its new improved Inclusion Centre with a special launch event for children, teachers and supporters.

The Inclusion Centre was established nine years ago to cater to the needs of vulnerable students at the school, and it has recently received funding from Wychavon District Council for outdoor areas with exercise machines, including swing-ball, table tennis, table football and darts equipment, as well as all-weather covering so that the activities can still take place outside even when it’s raining.

Paul Buckell, head of inclusion at Droitwich Spa High School, said: “From the early days David Hemming and the council saw the benefits of the centre, and since then they have continued to support us with funding and advice.

“There is much to do for this project to be successful and the cost will be a challenge, but with the support of establishments such as Wychavon District Council it means we are not daunted by such demands. It is difficult to put into words the gratitude of all the staff at the Inclusion Centre for the wonderful support given to us by David and the Council, but it has really made a difference to the centre and the lives of the children who use it.”

Other equipment installed at the centre includes a punch bag and speed ball to keep students active at break and lunchtimes, while external funding has also helped to develop an animal zone with rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens, and a nature/nurture zone to encourage the wildlife around the Salwarpe and Elmbridge Brook rivers.

Dave Hemming, Wychavon’s community safety manager, added: “We’re proud to be a supporter of the Inclusion Centre, which does so much excellent work for some of the most vulnerable students at the high school. The centre works closely with those individual students and their families to ensure that they are being adequately and appropriately educated and personally supported within the school. It has been a delight to see the centre develop over time and I am pleased that community safety funding has assisted in that development.”