School Games Mark Awards handed out to 34 Mid Cheshire schools

More than 30 local educational establishments have earned the ‘School Games Mark’.

The award, which has bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels, recognises the work of schools throughout 2023/24 to develop physical education, school sport and physical activity.

Antrobus St Mark’s CofE Primary School received the gold award but will be looking to go one further next year.

Rhian Perry, executive head teacher of the Federation of Antrobus St Mark's and Great Budworth CE Aided Primary Schools, said: “Our enrichment offering is driven by our love of the School Games award.

“Although our schools are small in numbers compared to many others, we pride ourselves on offering the same enrichment and competition elements to all of our pupils and this is shown in our annual School Games mark submission and evidence.

“Our pupils thoroughly enjoy PE and all of the wider wellbeing elements and opportunities that link to it.

“We use the School Games Mark as a tool to help us improve our offering year on year and we are excited to complete a case study this year as part of our application for a platinum award in 2025!”

Class Four at Antrobus St Mark’s Church of England Primary School with their Gold School Games Mark Award (Image: Supplied) Rudheath Senior Academy has also been awarded the gold School Games Mark.

Head teacher Christine Williams said: "We are are incredibly proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible.

“We’re excited to continue improving and expanding our sports offerings to ensure every student has the chance to participate and thrive."

Steve Docking, CEO of North West Academies Trust which oversees the running of the academy, added: "We are extremely proud of the Rudheath Academy team for earning this prestigious award.

"The gold award affirms our belief that sports and physical activity are vital to the growth and development of young people."

Pupils at Rudheath Primary Academy (Image: Supplied)

In applying for an award, schools had to demonstrate a number of things, such as the ways they encourage pupils to stay active, that there are opportunities for children to attend events and volunteer, that they engage with parents and stakeholders, and that pupils are able to benefit from sport regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other potential barrier.

Locally, 34 schools received an award with 12 that have engaged over a number of years eligible for the platinum award, where they demonstrated in more detail the significant impact and difference they are make.

One such school was St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Winsford.

Head of school Amy Butterfield said: “Here at St Joseph's, we were awarded with our third platinum award in the summer term.

“We are all incredibly proud of this achievement as we have always placed high priority on PE, school sport, physical activity and wellbeing.

“The award gave us a clear focus and goals of what we needed to achieve.”

Chris Story, partnership development manager of Vale Royal School Sport Partnership, added: “The response to the 2023/24 School Games Mark has been superb.

“Schools see this as a great framework to help them develop their provision and see how much doing so helps their children’s physical ability, confidence and motivation.

“As ever, last year there was a brilliant response from local schools to events and other opportunities to get young people moving and 2024/25 looks like being just as exciting, if not even more so!

“We can’t wait to see children attending events this term as we know they’ll be buzzing following a brilliant summer of sport!”

Full list of School Game Mark Awards

Platinum

• Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School
• Charles Darwin Community Primary School
• Cuddington Primary School
• Darnhall Primary School
• Grange Community Nursery and Primary School
• Hartford Manor Primary School & Nursery
• Hartford Primary School
• Little Leigh Primary School
• St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
• St Nicholas Catholic High School
• Winnington Park Community Primary and Nursery School
• Winsford High Street Community Primary School

Gold

• Antrobus St Mark's CofE Primary School
• Comberbach Nursery and Primary School
• Davenham CofE Primary School
• Great Budworth CofE Primary School
• Kingsmead Primary School
• Leftwich Community Primary School
• Moulton School
• Over Hall Community School
• Sandiway Primary School
• St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Weaverham
• St Chad's CofE Primary and Nursery School
• St Mary's Catholic Primary School
• St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School
• The Rudheath Senior Academy
• The Winsford Academy
• Weaverham Forest Primary School
• Wharton CofE Primary School
• Whitegate CofE Primary School
• Whitley Village School
• Wincham Community Primary School
• Witton Church Walk CofE Aided Nursery and Primary School

Silver

• Over St John's CofE Primary School