PUPILS, staff and parents celebrated the opening of a new swimming pool and changing rooms at a Beaconsfield school last week.

The opening comes after years of planning and fundraising for the multi-million pound project at Alfriston School in Penn Road.

Alfriston is a day and boarding school for girls, which caters for pupils with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities.

Leanne Riley of Saracens and England Ladies rugby officially unveiled a plaque to celebrate the opening of the changing rooms on Wednesday, June 25.

The rugby star was invited to talk about her involvement with the children’s charity of rugby Wooden Spoon, who specifically funded the new changing rooms.

Mike Elliott, from Wooden Spoon said: “Wooden Spoon is particularly proud to be involved in this project at a school with a fine record of achievement and sporting emphasis.

“Especially good, as this is my home town with many fine rugby clubs, Wooden Spoon members and donors nearby.

“Its local projects like this that make their involvement so worthwhile.”

Alfriston Headteacher, Jinna Male, said: “We are extremely grateful to Wooden Spoon for their generous donation towards our pool, enabling us to provide a fabulous facility for our girls and to help them gain the important life skill of being able to swim and to enjoy all the opportunities that the pool will offer.”