SPORTY youngsters at a primary school in Westhoughton really are going for gold.

St James’ CE School Daisy Hill has achieved the School Games Gold Mark Award.

It has become one of only a handful of schools to have been awarded the highest standard in the scheme to celebrating sporting achievement in schools.

The School Games Mark is a Government-led awards scheme where schools can aim for bronze, silver or gold. It was launched in 2012 to reward schools for their commitment to the development of sport, games and competition across their school and into the wider community.

The award is said to reflect the excellent provision and opportunities that are available.

Strengths of the school include “high quality” coaching which pupils receive within curriculum PE sessions each week and the “excellent” extra-curricular opportunities on offer, currently 10 each week.

Val Williams, school business manager, said: “On average, 53 per cent of key stage two students partake in extra-curricular sporting activity per week.

“Last year, the school participated in a wide range of School Games competition formats.

“They also participated in nine sports at town level and represented Bolton in both tag rugby and basketball.

“The school sport offer is supplemented by a strong leadership programme with good training opportunities for staff.

“In addition, a School Sport Organising Crew, which, although in its infancy, is quickly becoming well established within the school.

“The school utilises specialist coaches in a wide range of sports and has excellent community links with local clubs, offering progression from school to community club participation.

“The school offered a very strong portfolio of evidence for each criterion of the Mark.”