Borough Life Summer 2006: Dame Tanni opens new primary school
Dame Tanni cutting a ribbon to open the school.
Britain’s best-known Paralympian athlete has opened a £3.4 million new primary school in Hindley.
Olympic gold medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson officially opened the rebuilt Hindley Junior and Infant School, which now boasts state of the art facilities for disabled youngsters.
The new facilities follow the council’s review of special needs education. The old Edwardian school needed rebuilding, and the council took the chance to include modern facilities for children with complex medical needs.
The school now boasts a hydrotherapy pool, medical and therapy rooms. Cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Brian Wilson, said: “This is a first class mainstream choice for children with complex medical needs at the heart of the borough. Dame Tanni is a brilliant role model for these children.”
Dame Tanni was born with spina bifida and is paralysed from the waist down. Her trophy haul now includes 11 Paralympic gold medals after victories in the 100m and 400m in Athens.