Michael Spinks, Melissa Lee, Dominic Shaw, Ellie Norton, Connor Jones, Sophie Grosse and Ben Bracey - who all achieved distinctions and/or 100% attendance in the first year of their course - were able to watch a variety of sporting events from special seating areas that are normally reserved for Paralympic Family guests.

The students watched swimming in the Aquatic Centre, where one of the highlights was the heats of the SM8 200m individual medley in which Team GB Paralympic athlete Oliver Hynd qualified for the final (later winning the gold medal), and the group also saw Brazil take on Ukraine in 7-a-side football match in the Riverbank Arena.

The fantastic trip was made possible after the College applied, via Podium, to London 2012’s Key Seat Programme which has seen seats at the Games being made available to a limited number of colleges and universities.

Extended Diploma Sport and Exercise student Ben Bracey, 17, from Wymondham said: “I absolutely loved being at the Paralympic Games and it is something that I will always remember. The experience has made me want to aim for higher targets and has inspired me to participate in more sports.”

Fellow sports student Melissa Lee, 17, from Horsford, said: “The Paralympic Games were awesome, I really enjoyed watching the swimming! The whole experience was one of those once in a lifetime moments and it really showed us what we could achieve if we put our minds to sports.”

Lucy Whitwood, Sport and Exercise Science Course Leader, City College Norwich, added: “Going to London 2012’s Paralympic Games was an excellent experience for the students and will be something that they will always remember. Being able to witness a variety of different sports will hopefully inspire them to maintain the excellent standards they set themselves last year.”