A combination of fun and fitness gave staff and students at a Canning Town school a memorable end to their summer term.

A combination of fun and fitness gave staff and students at a Canning Town school a memorable end to their summer term.

Royal Docks Community School, Prince Regent Lane, held a party for elders alongside a sports day.

Paralympic wheelchair rugby player Andy Barrow worked in the school’s gym with children as part of a motivational disability in sports project. Other youngsters took part in a tea party for some of the area’s elderly residents, including Julian Bridgeman, 101, who was presented with a birthday cake by headteacher Wendy Bower.

Students also interviewed him about his life experiences and he sang during the party.

Julie Payne, deputy head of Year 11 and community co-ordinator, said: “The Elders Tea Party is a regular event that we hold every term but this party is a little more special as we celebrated the 101st birthday of one of our guests, Julian Bridgeman.

“Also, as part of an enrichment activity around local history, students plan to interview guests to learn what the community was like when they were students. The parties have always been a great platform from which to build relationships between the elders and youth of the community.”

Cllrs Marie Collier, Pat Holland and her husband Patrick were among those who enjoyed the tea party.

For more visit royaldocks.newham.sch.uk.