LITTLE SUTTON C of E Primary School has achieved the Silver School Games Mark for its outstanding commitment to PE and sports over the 2018/19 academic year.

The school, located on Berwick Road, picked up the Silver School Games Mark following its participation in competitions organised by the Ellesmere Port School Sport Partnership, including the Ellesmere Port Swimming Gala Finals, and the Level 2 Tag Rugby, Indoor Athletics and Orienteering events.

Additionally, pupils participated in the Key Steps Gymnastics competition, a collaboration between EPSSP and British Gymnastics, and took the bronze position at the June 2019 EPSSP Level 2 Quad Kids Athletics event, a competition between primary schools in Ellesmere Port, Frodsham and nearby villages.

Mark Pool, School Games organiser for EPSSP, said: “I have found Little Sutton to be extremely engaged consistently during the academic year. Their attendance to nearly all School Games events on offer is clear evidence of their commitment and how they have developed their competitive school sport priorities.

"The whole school approach from staff, students and parents is a joy to see and is evidenced through high levels of participation, engagement and a healthy intra-school competition programme.”

Pupils from Little Sutton have also enjoyed success at the recent Everton Mini Kickers Football Tournament for KS1 run by Everton Football Club, finishing in the top three, and at the Ellesmere Port and Neston Cross Country Finals where Little Sutton C of E’s Year 3/4 team picked up the first place trophy, and Year 5/6 took the runners up certificate.

Callum Bowness, PE co-ordinator from Little Sutton C of E Primary School, said: “I've been at Little Sutton C of E for two years, and whilst the school has always been strong on sport it's something we really wanted to push further by working within our local community to provide even more opportunities for our children to develop their skills and interest in sport outside of their regular PE lessons, and have a go at as many different sports as possible."

The School Games Mark is a government led awards scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community.

It is a retrospective award based on the current academic year, enabling Little Sutton C of E to demonstrate their efforts in school sports and PE over the current terms and previous two terms.

Mr Bowness said: “With a total of 115 young people competing in local inter-school competitions this year, we are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, as well as the young volunteers, leaders, Change4Life champions and officials who made our competitions possible.

"We’re a small school and that makes the achievement of our pupils in events such as the EPSSP Level 2 Quad Kids Athletics competition even more impressive!”

Year 6 pupil Macy has participated in a range of sporting activities during the current school year, including swimming, indoor and outdoor athletics, cross country, tag rugby, football and seated volleyball.

Macy has also received training as a Sports Leader, helping as many children as possible to stay active throughout the school day, a key criteria for the School Games Mark.

Macy said: “I like the way that school gives every child the chance to get involved in sporting activities. It doesn’t matter if they’re good at it or not, it’s just about having a go. I liked being a part of the football team and showing that girls can play football too.”

Children from Little Sutton C of E transition from year 6 to a range of high schools including Neston, South Wirral High and Bishops’ Blue Coat C of E High School, and Little Sutton Primary School works closely with high schools and community groups to develop links through school sport.

In May this year, Little Sutton C of E took part in South Wirral High School’s Unified Mile Special Olympics. This commitment to working within its local community was pivotal to the achievement of the Silver School Games Mark for the school.

Mr Bowness added: “As part of our application, we were asked to fulfill criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year.

“Special thanks has to go to our enthusiastic and energetic pupils and staff, to Mal Socker-Jones and Mrs Thomas for their continued hard work and dedication in cross country and running club.

"Also to our parents and PTA, which is known as Friends of Little Sutton School (FOLSS), for all of their support, hard work and kind donations towards PE equipment. We look forward to applying for School Games Mark once again next year. 2020 is when we go for gold!”

Friends of Little Sutton School are currently fundraising to further enhance opportunities for children to be active with a trim trail for the school.

To get involved, contact Little Sutton C of E on 0151 338 2244. Little Sutton C of E, Clutton C of E and Upton Heath C of E form The Samara Trust, a Cheshire multi-academy trust that was founded in March 2018.