Sportscotland awardsfor localschools
A host of local schools have received a prestigious award from sportscotland in recognition of their commitment to putting sport at the heart of the school ethos.
The sportscotland School Sport Award is presented for innovation and achievement in delivering school sport and physical activity, with 747 schools across the country now in possession of an award.
It recognises schools that put young people at the forefront of decision making and planning of school sport and PE while increasing participation opportunities.
In South Lanarkshire, there is 10 new gold award winners in the region this year, taking the total number of gold schools in the area to 33.
The new gold schools from Rutherglen and Cambuslang are Burgh Primary, Newton Farm Primary and Stonelaw High,while 22 South Lanarkshire schools achieved silver status and five earned bronze.
Silver schools from Rutherglen and Cambuslang were Burnside, James Aiton, Loch, Park View and St Cadoc’s, while Bankhead took a bronze medal.
Education Secretary John Swinney said: “Participation in sport and physical activity has an immensely positive impact on young people, improving their health, confidence and motivation.
“The record number of gold ratings is testament to the hard work of teachers and staff across the country in putting sport at the heart of the curriculum.”
Chief executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris was full of praise for the schools as well.
He said: “It’s testament to the work of a variety of partners, including thousands of pupils, parents, volunteers and teachers, that we can now say this is a record-breaking year for the School Sport Award. Each and everyone involved should be very proud of this fantastic achievement.
“There is an undoubted value in sport being at the heart of school life. With that in mind we are committed to helping build a Scotland where sport is a way of life and young people in schools are central to this.”
Funded by the National Lottery, the School Sport Award is a national initiative designed to encourage schools to continuously improve extra-curricular sport.
It also encourages links between schools and sports clubs in local communities, providing opportunities for young people to progress and further develop their sporting experiences.
To achieve a bronze or silver sportscotland School Sport Award, schools self-assess their current practice. However, to gain gold status an extensive external assessment is also carried out by an independent panel of experts.
The number of gold schools across Scotland now stands at an all-time high of 399, an increase of 40.5 per cent from last year’s total of 284.
A further 274 schools achieved silver and 74 bronze after a significant number of schools completed their continuous improvement journey towards the gold award.
The award is supported by the Active Schools Network, which aims to provide more and higher quality opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity before school, during lunchtime and after school.
It is funded by sportscotland and local councils.