A JUNIOR school which has inspired children to take part in a range of sports has been recognised for its commitment to physical activity.

St James’ C of E Junior School is the first school in Whitehaven to achieve School Games platinum status.

It is the highest accolade awarded by School Games and is given to schools which have consistently shown a special commitment to physical activity, PE and schools games for the over a period of five years.

Pupils at St James' Junior School have embraced a range of sports and many have been taken up as hobbies (Image: Submitted)

St James’ has been awarded Gold Award status over the last five years, but set out last year with the ambition of achieving Platinum status.

The special recognition is passed on to schools which continue to meet the gold criteria and who successfully evidence a specified case study.

St James’ case study focused on how it supports children with special educational needs in physical activity and sport.

The school has engaged pupils in a range of sports including wild swimming in Bassenthwaite Lake (Image: Submitted)

Last year, the school provided a wide range of activities, not just focussing on the popular sports of football and rugby, but also offering less-familiar experiences including wild swimming in Bassenthwaite Lake, climbing, kayaking, table tennis, hockey, judo, wheelchair basketball and Pentathlon events.

Another success was a weekly Forest School session with staff from West Cumbria Rivers Trust. This provided children with a safe environment to be active and learn away from the classroom which benefitted their mental health.

Staff at Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project have also supported the school, helping to run a weekly adventure club with activities in the water, around the harbour and in the lakes

Other specialists have supported the school curriculum with coaches in cricket and judo, along with players from Whitehaven Rugby League to deliver rugby lessons and the opportunity to play at the rugby ground.

Jack Tyson, who leads PE and outdoor events at the school, has worked alongside staff in developing a program of events and a positive culture for sport and physical activity.

Children have gone on to join local clubs after trying sports at school (Image: Submitted)

Many children who have engaged and enjoyed their time playing sport have gone on to join local clubs in cricket and tennis, spawning new interests and hobbies.

Andrew Beattie, headteacher, said: “We are extremely proud that our efforts have been recognised with this award. Staff have worked so hard to build up participation across the whole school, offering a wide variety of sports and games, and it has been brilliant to see both the enjoyment and skill in these sports develop so well.

“Many children have tried something for the first time this year, and the hope that this in turn develops into life-long hobbies and interests right across all sports. The students have really embraced this idea and we are so proud that they have been awarded this prestigious award.”

The school will keep its platinum status for the next two years but already has ambition to preserve its accreditation in the future.