Schools continue to make the grade in delivery of sport

A record number of Scottish schools, including eight from Argyll and Bute, have received a prestigious award from sportscotland in recognition of their commitment to putting sport at the heart of the school ethos.

Dunbeg and Salen primary schools join Cardross and Dalintober in achieving gold status. Dunoon Grammar School and Rothesay Academy achieved silver, while Carradale Primary School and Southend Primary School received bronze.

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.

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.

Chief executive of sportscotland Stewart Harris 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.

‘Everyone involved should be proud of this 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.

To achieve a bronze or silver sportscotland School Sport Award, schools self-assess their current practice. To gain gold status, an extensive external assessment is carried out by an independent panel of experts.

The award is supported by the Active Schools Network, a programme that involves sportscotland working in partnership with all 32 local authorities to encourage schools to ensure there are opportunities for all children and young people to engage, participate and reach their potential in this area.