STUDENTS at a Redditch secondary school enjoyed a PE lesson led by a Team GB Olympian.

Year 10 pupils studying GCSE PE at Ridgeway Secondary School took part in the lesson with Olympic rugby player Sam Cross.

Sam won a silver medal with the Rio 2016 Olympic Rugby 7s team and has since gone on to represent Wales at 15-a-side Rugby Union.

Persimmon Homes South Midlands teamed up with Team GB for the event, which saw the pupils take part in a training session and grill Sam with questions about his life as an Olympic athlete.

Head of PE at the school, Claire Gallagher, said: “It was a real honour to host Sam at our school and the pupils all gained a deeper insight into sports and athletes’ motivation by training with and talking to Sam – I am sure it is a school day that will stand out in their memories for years’ to come.

“Sport and the teamwork, commitment and enthusiasm associated with sport are really important to both staff, pupils at our school and the wider Redditch community."

Sam said: “It was fantastic to meet young people who are studying PE and who are considering sport in general as part of their futures. Giving children the opportunity to experience different sports is so important as it helps improve their confidence, self-esteem and physical fitness.

“The partnership between Persimmon Homes and Team GB allows us to help inspire the next generation and it is a pleasure to be able to share my passion for sport with the pupils. I hope they may have been inspired and will look at what other activities are open to them too.”

Russell Griffin, managing director of Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: “Persimmon Homes is keen to put something back into the communities in which we are building. It was a pleasure to be able to visit Ridgeway Secondary School along with Sam as part of our partnership with Team GB.

“The pupils were interested in Sam’s path to becoming an Olympic athlete, and who knows, he may have inspired some athletes of the future.”