Gold Mark awarded by School Games for keeping our students active

The power of physical activity and sport in school has given opportunities for our students to develop as a participant, leader, official or volunteer as well as being enjoyable and improving well-being.

Sport at Spalding Academy continues to go from strength to strength. We have a large uptake of students who participate in a wide range of sporting activities across the school, which reinforces the importance we place on being active. Our investment in sports facilities and equipment, coupled with a strong curriculum enables students of all sporting backgrounds to excel and be recognised accordingly.

We are therefore proud that Spalding Academy has achieved the School Games Gold Mark Award for the 2024/25 academic year.

The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward and recognise schools for their commitment to the development of completion in school and the community. The Gold Award is measured against a national benchmark and we are delighted that the school’s efforts in keeping young people active have been recognised with this award.

As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil 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.

Just some of our achievements over the last academic year include:

• Widest extra-curricular sports timetable ever
  
• U14 Gymnastics Lincolnshire Floor & Vault Winners and also second place in Regionals
  
• KS3 Trampolining Superzone Winners
  
• U14 Indoor Hockey Winners
  
• Year 7 Boys Basketball Team won the District Plate
  
• Year 11 Boys won SLAT Games
  
• Football tour to PSV Eindhoven in Holland for Years 8, 9 and 10
  
• PGL Netball Tour for Years 8, 9, 10 and 11
  
• Year 11 took part in Elite 11 at Boston College for careers aspiration
  
• New Inter-house competitions set up (Cross-Country, Rugby, Football, Hockey, Netball, Benchball, Basketball, Sports Day)
  
• Return of 11-a-side Rugby fixtures, Rugby 7’s Tournaments and T1 Rugby
  
• Year 9 Mixed Rugby T1 Runners-up and participated in the regional round at Worcester Warriors
  
• Girls Cricket team qualified for County Finals
  
• Students qualified for County Athletics teams
  
• Year 9 Sports Leaders completing Level 2 Sports Leaders Award including helping Primary Football and Tennis Festivals as well as Transition Day. Sports Leaders also completed volunteer work for Inspire+ holiday activities and food programme and attended their Mini Olympics.
  
• Year 6 taking part in School Games Summer Pentathlon and Transition Rounders Festival

As a school, we are extremely proud of our students for their dedication to all aspects of physical activity and sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible. We have used the School Games to engage with our students who haven’t previously been active or represented our school and ensure that all students have opportunities try out new activities in the community too.

Congratulations for everyone involved from the PE staff to the students who are amazing ambassadors for the school and local community as this special award is in recognition of their efforts and commitment to sport.