Pupils at Autism Anglia’s Doucecroft school in Eight Ash Green, Colchester were delighted to return from the summer break to find a brand-new playground installed.

The new playground is a welcome new addition to the school as the previous one had become tired and unsafe.

A grand opening of the new playground was held on Friday with pupils and staff form the school being joined by parents and fundraisers who helped to raise the funds to improve the outdoor facilities at the school.

Following a speech from headteacher Louise Parkinson, thanking everyone for their incredible efforts, the guests enjoyed taking part in the daily mile walk followed by cakes as part of Macmillan Coffee morning, while pupils played on the new facilities.

The new playground comes hot on the heels of a recent installation of a go kart track which was unveiled earlier in the year.

James McQuiggan, chief executive at Autism Anglia said: “We are incredibly grateful to our community for donating towards the new outdoor equipment as well as a generous grant from The Eastern Counties Educational Trust. “

Louise added: “We have had many people take on all sorts of fundraising activities to raise the funds from half marathons to mud runs and crafting. Even my own sister ran the London Marathon to support it!

“The playground offers Doucecroft pupils a safe space to build confidence and self-esteem, develop gross motor skills and social interactions as well a chance to play and have fun. It is being very well used already.”