A Shipley school is breaking down barriers and getting its pupils talking about disabilities in a frank and open way.

St Anthony’s Roman Catholic School, on High Busy Lane, began its first “Disability Awareness Week” yesterday with a visit from Paralympian record-breaker Josie Cichockyj.

Throughout the week pupils will be visited by players and staff from Bradford Bulls, who will teach them the finer points of wheelchair rugby, and other speakers who will give children an idea of what it is like to live as a disabled adult in the modern world.

During the week, pupils of all ages will learn about different conditions and take part in disabled sports to show them a disability does not prevent someone from living an active life.

Head Simon Gallacher said the school was making an effort to be as friendly to all members of the community, and get children comfortable talking about disability at an early age – hopefully preventing stigma in later life.

Wheelchair athlete Josie competed in the Paralympics in 1984, 1988 and 1996, as well as five world and seven European athletic events and marathons in London, Brussels and Leeds.

As well as athletics, she has also found success in tennis, table tennis and wheelchair basketball, and plays for the Manchester Mavericks.

Mr Gallacher said the goal was to make the school a “sanctuary” to all people, from refugees to the disabled.

He said: “We are doing lots of work to make sure the school is open to all members of the community, from people born and bred in Bradford to migrants and refugees, to people with disabilities and mobility issues. We want the children to realise that we’re all equal.

“We decided to hold Disability Awareness Week to help break down all barriers and help rid the children of their inhibitions. The children are really enjoying it – they don’t really bat an eyelid. They were out today playing wheelchair basketball with each other and asking plenty of questions.

“As well as Josie we’ve got Bradford Bulls coming in and then later in the week a lady called Linda Hanson will be bringing in her guide dog and talking to the children.

“She will be talking about the adaptations she has had to make in her life, and answer any questions.

“We have a few children with disabilities, but no-one in a wheelchair, so this week is really about raising awareness.”

As well as changing pupils’ attitudes towards the disabled, the week could also lead to the school building becoming more accessible.

On Friday, the school will undergo an “accessibility audit” to see how future refurbishments to the building could make it more disabled-friendly. Mr Gallacher said: “We’re on a hill so there are steps everywhere and some parts have poor access for people with mobility issues. We want to be able to make the school more accessible for everyone.

“The school was built in the Seventies, so like a lot of buildings then it wasn’t designed to be disabled-friendly. We will do the audit and then take the findings to the governors, so in any future building plans this can be taken into account.”

Manchester-based Josie was born with spina bifida, and took some convincing from friends and family to get into sports. However, once she did she was introduced to a world of national competitions and numerous different sports, despite being confined to a wheelchair.

She said: “It is great to see the legacy of the Paralympics with more and more awareness of disability.

“The kids at this school wanted to know as much as they could – it is a reflection of just how much society is changing that these children are having a week to explore this.

“I don’t really see it as about disability – for me it is more about my abilities and what I can do.

“Children asked if it changes my life, and I told them that I can do most of the things they can. I’ve been around the world competing in huge events.

“I wanted to get across to children that being disabled doesn’t make you a charity case – we don’t need help all the time.”