TWO primary schools in Rossendale have won top honours for promoting sport in lessons, through clubs and by entering competitions.

Only three per cent of schools in the country have achieved the Sainsbury’s Schools Games Gold Mark but in Rossendale St Peter’s RC Primary School, Newchurch and Thorn Primary School in Bacup won gold on their first attempt.

An external invigilator assessed Thorn’s submission and was so impressed with the work carried out at the school it has been written up into a case study to be sent to other schools as an example of best practice.

Thorn teacher Nadya Carter said: “When I looked through the award criteria I thought I was doing the school a disservice if I was to put in for anything other than the gold mark.

“We have always had competitions both inside and outside school.

“It is a little bit of a target of mine to enter all the competitions we can.”

The school also appoints several pupils as sports leaders and they help to run activities in lessons and outside of school.

The leaders also arranged their own club Funky Fridays club focusing on a different sport each week.

Ten-year-old Rory Haigh said: “I help to run sessions on football, cricket and golf.

“Sport keeps you healthy and fit, it is good fun and you make new friends.”

National charity the Youth Sport Trust manages delivery of the School Games and development manager Stacey Mullock stressed that achieving the goal is not just about improving sport in schools.

She said it is also has a positive influence on life skills such as resilience, determination and teamwork that can influence other areas of school life.

St Peter’s RC School also received the Gold Mark plaque and headteacher Helen Sullivan said: “We place a great importance upon sport at St Peter’s because we recognise the positive impact it has upon self-confidence and well being.

“Achieving the Gold Mark is something we are delighted about and out sports leader Dominique Lynch is the driving force behind ensuring every child experiences the widest range of sporting activities possible.”

She also praised the supportive parents.

School Games organiser Nathan Bibby, who is based at Fearns Community Sports College, Stacksteads, said: “We had seven schools achieve the bronze award, two got the silver and two the gold.

“I hope the success of these schools will encourage even more to apply for a School Games Mark.

“It is a nationally recognised achievement and Ofsted is now monitoring how both curriculum PE and school sport are delivered.”