A PRIMARY school in Clydebank has became the latest in West Dunbartonshire to be awarded the prestigious sportscotland Gold School Sport Award.

Delighted pupils and staff at St Stephen’s Primary received the award in recognition of their work to improve the health and wellbeing of pupils through increased participation in physical education and sport, both within and out with the school.

Pupils can take part in a range of sports including walking a daily mile, mini movers, cycling, netball, football, basketball, football, dodgeball, rugby, dance, tennis, cross country running and multi-sports.

Read More: In Pictures: Clydebank kids are Dynamite

Senior pupils are also given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by applying for and being trained as “Play Leaders”.

Lorna Jackson, sportscotland partnership manager for West Dunbartonshire, presented the school with the award on January 24.

Jane Crombie, headteacher, said: “It is an honour to receive this award. This recognises the outstanding work by our staff to ensure all our children have the opportunity to participate and succeed in physical activity. I would like to thank our dedicated staff, parent volunteers and Active Schools for their commitment as without them we would never have received this prestigious award.”

The Gold Award for St Stephen's Primary brings the number of gold schools in West Dunbartonshire to six.

Councillor Karen Conaghan, convener of educational services, said: “This is fantastic recognition for the school, and everyone involved deserves huge credit. As a council, we are committed to improving the life chances of our young people and having an active healthy life from a young age is key to being healthy as an adult. I would like to congratulate St Stephen’s on receiving this award and for encouraging their pupils to lead active lifestyles.”

Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, added: “Congratulations to all the staff and pupils at St Stephen’s Primary - they should be extremely proud of this fantastic achievement. Not only have they put physical education and sport at the heart of their school and local community, but they have managed to do so in a way that encourages all pupils to engage in physical activity whilst having fun at the same time.

“At sportscotland we are committed to building a world-class sporting system for everyone, and a crucial part of that is putting young people at the heart. Working with our partners in local authorities and governing bodies of sport, we are creating closer links between physical education, school sport and club sport, which benefits young people by providing more and better opportunities to take part in sport.”