A TEAM used to sharpening talents of Oxford United players were ‘honoured’ to teach skills to pupils at a special school.

Football coaches from the U’s swapped their usual squad for a class of more than 40 children, from Mabel Prichard School in Blackbird Leys.

The sporting experts led a special training session at nearby The Oxford Academy on Wednesday, designed and adapted to suit able-bodied children as well as those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.

Oxford United’s head of operations Chris Lowes, who took part in the session, heaped praise on the children who joined in.

He said: “We were very honoured to have been able to go into Mabel Prichard School and deliver a session for these amazing students.

“They are an absolute credit to the school and have got some excellent talent and skills.

“We want to help these young people to develop their skills as much as we can, and feel football is an incredible tool to do that.”

Mabel Prichard is a community special school for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and teaches pupils from the ages of two to 19 at its building in Cuddesdon Way.

Pupils took great pleasure in playing at The Oxford Academy’s sports dome, which houses a 3G pitch.

Coaches included Dan Saunders, lead coach at Oxford United Community Trust, which runs football courses for young people during school holidays.

Lucy Wawrzyniak, who joined Mabel Prichard as headteacher in September, said students relished the chance to take part.

She added: “Our students loved the visit from Oxford United.

“We have a lot of talented children in this school and you never know who might become part of an elite team.

“It was such a fun time for the students.”

Mrs Wawrzyniak said the children were excited in the run-up to the coaching day, adding: “Most of our children are incredibly sociable and love to meet new people and to do anything sporty.

“We can’t thank Oxford United enough for taking the time to coach and mentor our special children.”

It has been a busy term so far for the school, which was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in a report released at the end of April.

Children have also been able to enjoy new outdoor play equipment installed during the Easter holidays, thanks to a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery.

Last Monday pupils were also entertained by Morris dancers, who stopped by to practise ahead of May Morning celebrations.