Golden recognition for Hartlepool school as it shows its sporting strength

Staff and children at Barnard Grove Primary School, in Barnard Grove, Hartlepool, have been working hard to gain a grading in the Sainsbury’s School Games project for more than a year.

They are now celebrating after getting the gold mark after meeting a long list of criteria.

That included establishing a sports leadership team, and ensuring at least half of pupils were taking part in extra-curricular activities each week.

All students must also participate in at least two hours of PE a week, and the school needs to offer talented youngsters specific help to assist them in reaching their sporting potential.

The award of the gold mark was particularly pleasing for PE teacher Craig Weatherill, who has been working towards it since taking the job last September.

He said: “We have achieved the gold mark, which is great recognition for the work we do in sport and PE.

“They gave us a period of time to meet all the criteria, and we’re delighted to have done so.

“We got a certificate and once we have got the award, we will be able to include that on our letterheads and we’ll be rightly proud of it.

“It’s a big thing for the school, and shows that we always try to give our pupils as many opportunities as possible to excel in sports and also a chance to get fitter.

“Hopefully the school will continue to go from strength to strength in all areas, and this is a major boost for us after working towards it for so long.”