School Games Mark Award

We did it — Platinum School Games Mark Award!
We are thrilled to announce that Checkendon Primary School has been awarded the Platinum School Games Mark — the highest recognition available through the Government-led School Games award scheme.

This achievement marks a remarkable milestone in our school’s commitment to physical activity, school sport, and the development of young leaders. Building on the success of our recent Gold Awards, this Platinum Award reflects not just sustained excellence, but also strategic, inclusive and inspiring sport across our school community.

What it takes to achieve platinum

To receive the Platinum Award, schools must first hold a Gold Award for four consecutive years. Then, we had to demonstrate how we have embedded school sport and physical activity as part of the school’s wider ethos, engaging a broad range of pupils in a sustainable and inclusive way.

This includes:

• Offering a wide variety of sports and physical activities to all pupils, with strong participation rates.

• Supporting less active children and helping them to discover new passions for movement and wellbeing.

• Developing young leaders and volunteers who help run events, support their peers, and shape sporting life in the school.

• Engaging with the local community and clubs, extending opportunities beyond the school gates.

• Sustaining sport as a central part of school life, not just for one year, but consistently over time.

Why this is so unbelievable for our small school

For a school of our size, achieving Platinum status is nothing short of extraordinary. It shows that passion, commitment, and community can rival even the biggest schools when it comes to promoting sport and wellbeing. With fewer pupils and limited resources, we’ve relied on creativity, teamwork, and a deep belief in the power of sport to make this possible.

This award is a testament to:

• Our pupils, who participate with enthusiasm, courage, and kindness.

• Our staff, who go above and beyond to offer opportunities for every child.

• Our volunteers and young leaders, who support and inspire others.

• And our families and wider community, who champion the role of physical activity in children’s lives.

We are immensely proud of this collective achievement. The Platinum School Games Mark isn’t just an award — it’s a celebration of who we are as a school: inclusive, active, determined, and supportive.