Sports-mad pupils in Alexandria are celebrating after their school received a top award for its drive to boost physical education.

Children and staff at Christie Park Primary were over the moon when sportscotland awarded them a Gold School Sport Award.

The award is in recognition of the school's work to improve the health and wellbeing of pupils through increased participation in PE and Sport, both within and outwith the school.

Pupils take part in a range of sports including cycling, walking a daily mile, yoga, mini movers, hockey, netball, football, Morning Stars games club, zumba, archery, circuits, basketball, table tennis , football, dodgeball, rugby, jive dance, tennis, cross country running and multisports.

And senior pupils also got to try out bowls through a partnership with the Vale of Leven Bowling Club.

Lorna Jackson, sportscotland partnership manager for West Dunbartonshire, presented staff and pupils with the award on Wednesday.

Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, said: “Congratulations to all the staff and pupils at Christie Park Primary.

"They should be extremely proud of this fantastic achievement. Not only have they put physical education and sport at the heart of their school and local community, but they have managed to do so in a way that encourages all pupils to engage in physical activity whilst having fun at the same time.

“sportscotland is committed to building a world-class sporting system for everyone, and a crucial part of that is putting young people at the heart.

"Working with our partners in local authorities and governing bodies of sport, we are creating closer links between physical education, school sport and club sport, which benefits young people by providing more and better opportunities to take part in sport.”

With more applications than ever before, there are currently 212 sportscotland Gold School Sport Award schools. A total of 336 schools have been awarded silver and 84 with bronze.

To achieve a bronze or silver sportscotland School Sport Award, schools self-assess their current practice. However, to gain gold status an extensive external assessment is also carried out by an independent panel of experts.

Councillor Jim Finn, chair of West Dunbartonshire Leisure, said: “This is a great achievement and I would like to congratulate our Active Schools team and the school on their efforts.

"The range of activities available to the pupils is outstanding and gives all pupils the opportunity to find a sport they enjoy. It is only by working together that awards such as this can be achieved.”

Councillor Karen Conaghan, convener of Educational Services, said: “This is fantastic recognition for the school and everyone involved deserves huge credit.

"As a council, we are committed to improving the life chances of our young people and having an active healthy life from a young age is key to being healthy as an adult. I would like to congratulate Christie Park on receiving this award and for encouraging their pupils to lead active lifestyles.”

Laura Penny, head teacher, added: “It is an honour to receive this sportscotland Gold School Sport Award.

"This recognises the outstanding work by our staff to ensure all our children have the opportunity to participate and succeed in physical activity.

"I would like to thank our dedicated staff and parent volunteers for their commitment as without them we would never have received this prestigious award.”