A DUMBARTON primary school has been awarded for the range of sport on offer to pupils.

Braehead Primary School earned a sportscotland Gold School Sport Award in recognition of its work to improve the health and wellbeing of youngsters.

Anne McFarlane, head teacher, said: “This award recognises the outstanding work and commitment by our pupils, staff, parents and our volunteers to ensure all our children have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of sports.

“Our school community has also formed great relationships with external sporting organisations and I would like to thank them for their time, help and support in introducing new and traditional sports to our pupils.”

Pupils take part in a range of sports including cross country, athletics, netball, dodgeball, basketball, football, rugby, tennis, judo, dancing, kickboxing, cycling, cricket, gymnastics, golf, swimming and trampolining. Pupils were introduced to open water swimming and shinty this year.

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Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, said: “There is an undoubted value in sport being at the heart of school life. With that in mind, we are committed to helping build a Scotland where sport is a way of life and young people in schools are central to this.”

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 Ian Dickson, vice convener of educational services, said: “We are delighted that Braehead Primary joins Edinbarnet Primary, Kilbowie Primary and St Mary’s Primary, Clydebank, in being awarded gold status this year, taking the number of gold schools in the area to 10. A further 13 schools achieved silver status.”