New all-weather pitch opens today at Woodlands School

Commonwealth Games Judo Gold medal winner, Sarah Clark, will officially open the new all-weather, multi sports pitch at Woodlands School, Currie this morning.

The Edinburgh based athlete won Commonwealth gold for Scotland gold in the women’s under 63kg division, this summer and will wield the scissors to cut a ribbon to mark the opening of  the special school’s new sports pitch.

The event is the culmination of a huge fundraising effort by the school called The SOS! Support Our Sport Campaign. The project won £50,000 in The People’s Millions – a contest run by ITV and the Big Lottery Fund where the public decide through telephone votes,  which charity will win.

Now youngsters at the school, who have moderate to complex learning disabilities and conditions such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Down’s Syndrome, are able to play games and sports during breaks and lunchtime on an all- weather surface, which also includes an access ramp.

The opening ceremony which starts with a welcome assembly at the school at 10.45am will also be attended by representatives of those who helped The SOS! Support Our Sport Campaign reach the £80,000 total needed to build the pitch and by those who have supported the project in all ways.

Learners, staff, parents and carers at the school raised £30,000 by holding sponsored events, community tombolas, Christmas fairs and a joint fashion show with Currie Community High School. Local businesses also gave donations, held golf fundraising days and donated banners, lobbied for votes etc.

Woodlands Head Teacher, Angelina Lombardo said: “We are thrilled to have such a fantastic sporting role model in Sarah Clark, come along to formally open our new pitch. Her achievement in winning a judo gold medal this summer is very inspiring. This new pitch will make such a difference to the health and well-being of our learners.”

Liz Power, Chair of the Friends of Woodlands School said: “We are happy to welcome our guests to our opening ceremony to share in this important milestone for Woodlands School, and as a thank you to all those businesses, individuals and members of the Currie and Balerno and Edinburgh communities who backed us in this project”