Curledge Street Academy has earned the prestigious School Games Platinum Mark Award for its outstanding commitment to and provision of sports at all levels. This award, recognised as the highest standard in school sports engagement, celebrates the academy’s outstanding dedication to fostering an active and healthy lifestyle for all its pupils.
Facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust and part of a government-led initiative, the School Games Mark honours schools that go above and beyond in creating a culture of physical activity and sports excellence.
The Platinum Award requires schools to meet rigorous standards, such as maintaining a Gold status for four consecutive years, ensuring every pupil participates in at least 60 active minutes daily, and developing positive, inclusive experiences that build pupil confidence and motivation. Curledge Street Academy’s dedication to these principles has helped establish it as a leader in this space, promoting fitness, teamwork, and wellbeing.
Through initiatives like the popular ‘Walk to School Week,’ and the themed ‘Walking with Wildlife,’ Curledge pupils explore topics of sustainability, inclusion, and mental wellness, while sports leaders provide a variety of playground activities, such as football and netball as well as multi skills and indoor running as part of PE lessons, that keep children active throughout the day.
The academy’s swimming classes have also built water confidence – an essential skill for the local coastal community. Additionally, programmes like Balanceability – an accredited ‘learn to cycle’ programme for children – have developed younger pupils’ coordination skills in preparation for future activities like Bikeability – the government’s national cycle training programme.
To further support active play, new playground markings within the school have created spaces where pupils can build social skills, enjoy physical activity, and develop teamwork.
In addition to organised PE lessons, pupils at Curledge Street have access to numerous extra-curricular clubs, including football, archery, netball, and cricket, allowing them to work on specific skills and collaborate across classes and year groups.
Hannah Wilkinson, head of school at Curledge Street Academy, said: “This award means a lot to us! It is a recognition of the dedication our staff, pupils, and families put into making Curledge Street a place where kids can be active and feel good about themselves every day.”
Kevin Titchard, sports coach at Curledge Street Academy, added: “Seeing our pupils grow in confidence and energy through sports has been so rewarding. From playing in the playground to learning in PE lessons, they are showing up, giving it their all, and having a great time doing it. That is what this award is really about.”