Nick Clegg opens ‘big society super-classroom’

A multi-million-pound centre which teaches children to cope with social problems such as bullying and binge drinking was opened today by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Sutton Life Centre, described as the "Big Society super-classroom", uses virtual reality scenarios to teach children to take more responsibility for their neighbourhoods.

The £8 million centre, the first of its kind in the country, houses an indoor street where children learn to cope with bullying, a transport zone to help youngsters deal with problems they could face on the Tubes and buses, and a home zone where they learn how to prevent fires.

Mr Clegg praised the centre for providing children with a "sense of optimism and confidence".