The students have learning disabilities ranging from severe to moderate. They include Down's syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia and dyspraxia. Two of the students are in a wheelchair and one is also registered blind.
Their coach, David Vellala, believes some of the student have the talent to become medal winners in the Special Olympics World Games, held every two years for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
He is delighted with the progress the students are making. He said: "There is a growing number of tennis competitions for adults with intellectual disabilities and some of these students have the ability to do well in these.
"Tennis is one of the sports included in the Special Olympics. There are students in this group with the talent to become Special Olympic medal winners."
David provided special sports wheelchairs for the students who need them. It was the first time Sidrah Taj, who has cerebral palsy, had used one and she was delighted with the extra mobility it provided.
As she did high-speed spins around the court, she beamed: "It's brilliant. I love it."
Their tutor Rosita Matyniowna said: "One student asked if Andy Murray had ever played on these courts.
"He was thrilled to be told that Andy and other members of the Davis Cup winning team practised here last December after bringing back the trophy.
“It makes them feel very special to be using the same facilities as their sporting heroes."
The indoor programme is a further development of a partnership between Waltham Forest College and Aldersbrook Tennis Club in Wanstead to teach tennis to their students with learning disabilities.
The partnership began in 2013 when one class for students with moderate disabilities received tennis lessons at Aldersbrook, and has now progressed to include all students on life skills programmes. The Olympic legacy charity Motivate East provides funding for the summer programme.
The winter tennis programme is joint funded by the Tennis Foundation, Britain’s leading tennis charity, with additional support from the Lee Valley Community Access Fund, which aims to inspire these students to partake regularly in sporting activities.
Jack Pringle, sports development officer at the Lee Valley tennis centre, explained: "We run weekly sessions for people of all ages with learning disabilities and we would be delighted if these students were to participate and become regular tennis players.