A SCHOOL was transformed into a cult television game show, where teams of disabled children competed against each other.

Marlborough School, in Shipton Road, Woodstock, became the backdrop for a Crystal Maze challenge.

Teams from the school, the Parasol Project in Marston, Oxford, Bardwell School in Bicester, and Guideposts in Witney competed against each other in four zones – Ocean, Aztec, Futuristic and Medieval.

The Parasol team won, and everyone taking part went home with a souvenir glass crystal.

The event was organised by Oxfordshire Youth Enablers! (OYE!), which campaigns for the rights of disabled children and young people.

OYE! member Ashley Parker, 15, said: “I have really enjoyed being part of OYE! I have learnt so much about the sort of things that other disabled people get up to in life. I feel that it is very important disabled people develop their leadership skills as many of us sometimes lack that responsibility.”

The 32 children were split into teams and pitted against each other to try to gather the most crystals from each of the zones. Howie Watkins — former Really Wild Show television presenter and current play development manager for Oxfordshire County Council — compered the event, while the sets were designed by Nomi Everall, from Oxford’s Pegasus Theatre.

OYE! was set up by the county council in October 2008.

Since then, more than 100 young members have been consulted on issues that affect them.

These include organising breaks for disabled children and young people, help with transition from school to college, and finding work.

County councillor Louise Chapman, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “Oxfordshire Youth Enablers! has had a fantastic year.

“The young people have inspired and directed Oxfordshire County Council with recommendations on a variety of issues and have achieved national recognition by the Council for Disabled Children as an example of good practice.”

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk