PUPILS at a Sedgley school enjoyed a visit from former England cricketer Darren Maddy to mark the opening of a new £20,000 sports and fitness room.

Darren, now captain of Warwickshire Cricket Club, visited High Arcal school on July 3 to officially open the newly refurbished sports science, health and fitness room.

Pupils were able to gain practical advice about health and fitness during a question and answer session with the sporting hero, who also offered his congratulations to the school’s Under 13s cricket team who recently won a six-a-side tournament to become champions of Worcestershire for the first time.

Other sporting projects recently established at the school include cricket coaching, a football team tour to Valencia, a rugby tour to Ireland and a ski trip for 65 pupils booked to depart next February.

Luke Fuller, High Arcal physical education teacher, said the projects were aimed to inspire a wide range of abilities to engage in physical activities.

He added: “The school values the health and wellbeing of its pupils and staff as one of the most important factors in raising the attainment of pupils.”