David Beckham visiting Vaughan Primary School, West Harrow, which was the winner of Sainsbury's Million Kids Challenge ahead of the Paralympics. Photo: Sainsbury’s/Action Images

Children at a school in north-west London got a shock when David Beckham turned up at morning assembly this week.

The football star dropped in on the three-to 11-year-olds at Vaughan Primary School, West Harrow.

He was visiting in his role as ambassador for Sainsbury’s to promote both the Paralympics and healthy lifestyles among children.

Vaughan Primary won the Million Kids Challenge, an initiative to encourage children of all ages and abilities to try one of three Paralympic Sports - goalball, visually impaired football and sitting volleyball.

Vaughan was awarded the visit as a reward for the hard work by teachers and pupils to embed Paralympic sports into their mainstream curriculum.

Beckham said: “Today it was a real privilege for me to meet the pupils and staff of Vaughan Primary. Their dedication to Sainsbury’s Million Kids Challenge and their wider involvement and support for the London 2012 Paralympic Games is inspirational.”

Andrew Griffin, headmaster of the school, said: “He met with teachers and pupils from the whole school and learnt about what we have been doing to include the Games and Paralympic sport into lessons and teaching.

“As you can imagine the children were over the moon to get the chance to spend time with David who is a real inspiration and the perfect role model. We will remember this day for a very long time.”