THE past year has seen Stroud schools excel in their provision for physical activity and sporting competition.

Through the School Games scheme, a nationally recognised system where schools are provided with the opportunity to compete whilst also implementing activities associated with physical activity, local schools have developed the opportunities available to students with an increase in participation in school based sport, leadership opportunities, organising crews and sport councils, and the opportunities to compete against schools locally and county wide.

The scheme, which is free to schools, provides for a wide variety of interests including for example sports hall athletics, mountain biking, archery, gymnastics, debating, hockey, tennis, table tennis, badminton, and inclusive events such as sportability and Panathlon.

All these activities help to engage children between the ages of six to 16 of all abilities.

In 2017 the district saw a rise in reward to local school’s efforts to implement these structures into their school with the application of the School Games Mark.

Awarded for various levels of commitment, the Bronze, Silver and Gold Mark standards were met by eleven schools, with Bisley Blue Coat Primary awarded Bronze Mark, Longney Primary, The Rosary Primary, Callowell Primary, Cashes Green Primary, and Kingswood Primary all awarded Silver Mark and the Gold Mark awarded to Horsley Primary, Thrupp Primary, Gastrells Primary, Avening Primary, and North Nibley Primary.

“In 2017 I was delighted to experience an increase in commitment in sport and physical activity in the district,” Stroud School Games Organiser James Jeffery, based at Archway School.

“The School Games Mark rewards are the tip of the iceberg, these schools have been recognised for their effort and this shows a level of commitment that is evident in many schools throughout the district.

“Great efforts are being made in primary schools to provide greater opportunities and implement health related activities to ensure this becomes a valued ingredient of a child’s daily routine leading into secondary education.

“In the past three years all competitions have grown in attendance from schools, engaging more children and providing greater opportunities to be active, healthy and compete in competition.

There is a wealth of talent and opportunities in the Stroud District, we very much look forward to 2018 bringing further applications for the Mark as a reward for the ongoing commitment shown by our local schools.”