School Shines at awards day
LANCHESTER EP Primary School has proved top of the class - by winning the Primary School of the Year Award at the English Cricket Board’s Chance to Shine Awards.
The school fought off more 5,000 other primaries who have been involved with the Chance to Shine programme during the last academic year to claim the award.
It was recognised for its hard work supporting grassroots cricket and teachers Lewis Graham and David Mordue received their accolade from former England cricketer Matt Prior at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The judging panel noted Lanchester EP had gone from having very little cricket available to their KS1 pupils to the whole school being engaged in the sport.
The judges also commended the commitment of the teachers to support their pupils to play, learn and develop through cricket.
They have taken advantage of opportunities to develop their own coaching skills and are able to deliver high-quality sessions when the Chance to Shine coaches are no longer in attendance.
The school has worked closely with Durham Cricket Board coach Phil Mellons and Lanchester Cricket Club to provide opportunities for children to continue playing outside of school.
Mordue said: “It is amazing to win this award, we did not expect it.
“I think cricket will grow even more now off the back of this - it has already taken over as our main sport.”
Prior said: “Lanchester EP is an amazing example of what the power of cricket can do for children and the school should be incredibly proud of its accolade.
“It has been an incredibly inspiring evening hearing all about the amazing work happening around the country through Chance to Shine.
“2019 has been the most phenomenal year of cricket in this country at all levels and this evening has topped it off.”
The Chance to Shine Annual Awards, supported by NatWest, recognise clubs, individuals and schools who help to spread the power of cricket and make the charity such a success.
National charity Chance to Shine has been working since 2005 to deliver cricket coaching sessions in state schools and disadvantaged communities.
Over the years, it has reached more than four million young people, 46% of whom are girls.