Famous flame visits Edinburgh school ahead of Rio games

Pupils at the Royal Blind School were given a taste of Rio de Janeiro as the 2016 Paralympic torch passed through their school.

Ten students were chosen to act as guardians and carry the famous flame around the classes of the Edinburgh school, as part of the ParalympicsGB Rio 2016 Torch Tour.

The torch will visit 100 schools this summer as part of a project to inspire young people ahead of the Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

The Royal Blind School was the fourth school on the tour and one of 13 schools in Scotland to be included in the programme.

We’re so proud of our former pupils’ success in the Paralympics

It comes after former Royal Blind School student Stephen Clegg was selected to represent Great Britain in swimming as part of the Paralympic team, ParalympicGB.

The 20-year-old is the younger brother of silver-medal winning Paralympic sprinter, Libby, and swimmer James, who won bronze in the men’s 100m butterfly event in the 2012 London Paralympics.

Royal Blind School headteacher, Elaine Brackenridge, said she was honoured that the school was included in the tour.

She said: “The Rio 2016 ParalympicsGB torch tour was so exciting for the young people – it’s a once in a school career opportunity.

“We’re so proud of our former pupils’ success in the Paralympics. We don’t know what the future holds with regards our current pupils’ sporting ambitions, but the Royal Blind School seeks to maximise the potential of all our students.

“This was a fantastic afternoon and we are absolutely delighted that the torch came the Royal Blind School.”

Prior to the procession of the torch through the school grounds, representatives from the torch team led a series of activities linked to the Paralympic values: courage, determination equality and inspiration.

And afterwards the students recorded a goodwill message for the next school on the tour.