Schools win top honours from national body

More than 40 schools across Stirling have been recognised with a prestigious national sporting accolade.

The sportscotland School Sport Award is given for innovation and achievement in delivering sport and physical education.

In this academic year, 34 primary and secondary schools in Stirling have achieved gold status – 13 more than last year - with seven scooping a silver prize.

Among the gold award winners in Stirling are two ASN schools: Castleview School, and Stirling Inclusion Support Service.

Castleview provides education for children with a range of severe and profound additional support needs, while Stirling Inclusion Support Service works with children and young people with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Needs (SEBN) at Chartershall and Millhall Bases.

Yvonne Wright, Headteacher of Stirling Inclusion Support Service, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our provision has been recognised by sportscotland for the efforts of staff over the last two years in working towards this award.

“There is no doubt that our children and young people have benefitted immensely from the increased sport and physical activity in our curriculum and the opportunities for success this has provided. This achievement is even more special as we are one of the first SEBN provisions in Scotland to achieve a gold award.”

To achieve a bronze or silver 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.

Children and Young People Committee convener Councillor Susan McGill said: “Having 13 more schools earning a gold award, in particular Castleview, Chartershall and Millhall, is a fantastic achievement and shows we are embedding high quality and inclusive physical activity right across our educational system and in our communities.

“A huge well done to all the staff in our schools for all their hard work in this success, and I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable support from Active Stirling in delivering these activities.”

And vice convener Councillor Christine Simpson added: “I am really proud that over 40 of our educational establishment have been bestowed with these prestigious accolades from sportscotland.

“To have our additional support needs school and our support service secure gold status is an amazing story and recognition of their incredible efforts to put sport at the heart of the school ethos.”

Committee member Concervative Councillor Bryan Flannagan said: “It is a significant achievement for all the schools, their staff and the coaches from Active Stirling that have worked hard to deliver consistently engaging activities that not only get children involved but, crucially, keep them interested. I’m sure the other schools are all delivering great PE and will get their Gold awards very soon.”

Funded by the National Lottery, the sportscotland School Sport Award is a national initiative designed to encourage schools to continuously improve physical education and sport.

It puts young people at the forefront of decision making and planning of physical education and school sport while increasing opportunities for pupils to take part.

The award also encourages sporting links between schools and the communities around them, providing opportunities for young people to progress.

Gold Award winners - Allan’s Primary, Balfron Primary, Borestone Primary, Castleview School (ASN), Doune Primary, Dunblane High, Fallin Primary, Gargunnock Primary, Millhall Inclusion Support Service (Primary), SEBN Support Service (Secondary), St Margaret’s RC Primary, Stirling High, Thornhill Primary, Kincardine-in-Menteith Primary, Kippen Primary, Newton Primary, St Ninian’s Primary, Aberfoyle Primary, Balfron High, Bannockburn Primary, Buchanan Primary, Buchlyvie Primary, Callander Primary, Drymen Primary, Dunblane Primary, East Plean Primary, Fintry Primary, Killearn Primary, McLaren High, Our Lady’s RC Primary, Raploch Primary, St Mary’s RC Primary, Strathblane Primary and Wallace Highl,

Silver Award winners - Bannockburn High, Bridge of Allan Primary, Cambusbarron Primary and Cornton Primary