Mapplewells Primary and Nursery School, Sutton, has been recognised for its commitment to sport and the Ashfield School Games.

Organiser Glynn Hall explained that because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional approach to the games had to be adapted.

However, organisers felt that schools deserved recognition for the work and support they had put in place for their pupils across the last academic year, so they created a School Games Recognition Award and School Games Virtual Award.

Glynn said Mapplewells showed its strength in both categories: “Mapplewells engaged in all aspects of the district School Games programme prior to lockdown and since has provided pupils with a fantastic virtual programme, including supporting the district’s School Games activities and taking part in their Flying High Trust Virtual Sports Day.

The two awards recognise Mapplewells’ commitment to providing high quality PE, school sport and physical activity to all their pupils.”

Mapplewells teacher Tom Darby, PE specialist and trust PE lead, said the award recognised the hard work of staff, pupils and their families.

“Prior to lockdown we attended every sports event we could and this created lots of opportunities for pupils to represent their school. But we were faced with the prospect that during the period of lockdown, our pupils and parents’ enthusiasm for sport could have stalled but, if anything, it spurred them on even more.

“During the first few weeks of lockdown we had so many pupils taking part in virtual challenges — and the engagement we had was incredible. This has continued through the past few months and offering the pupils and parents various virtual challenges has kept up both the participation and the enjoyment.

“This double award is deserved by all of our Mapplewellian family and I would like to thank Glynn for all his hard work over the past year. His dedication and organisation is second to none and he provides so many opportunities for the children of Mapplewells, and Ashfield, to not only be competitive but to enjoy being active.”

Taking part throughout was pupil Ellis Senior, who said: “I have represented the school at football, swimming and rowing. We did really well as we always try and try.”

Fellow pupil Oliver Hardwick added: “I enjoyed representing the school at rowing because we had a great team.”

Owen Finch added: “It was nice to be part of the rowing and athletics team as I like doing sport.”