St Mary’s Catholic High School, Menston, is to become a Youth Sport Trust Gold Partner School for its commitment to PE and school sport following a recent review and inspection.

Youth Sport Trust Partner Schools can demonstrate how they are delivering high quality school sport and improving the PE experience for every young person – and use sport to raise achievement levels across the school.

As a partner, St Mary’s will receive additional training and development opportunities and can become involved in national education and sport initiatives.

Head teacher, Robert Pritchard, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the Youth Sport Trust Gold Award which recognises our commitment to delivering the best possible experiences for young people through PE and School Sport. As a Sports College and leader of a successful School Sport Partnership we are highly committed to sport and its wider potential. There are a whole range of educational, health and wellbeing benefits from delivering high quality PE and school sport and we see on a regular basis that when sport is delivered well it can transform the lives of a whole range of pupils.”

Assistant Headteacher and Director of PE and Sport at St Mary’s, David Geldart, said the award recognised the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication of the school’s PE and sports department.

Education Director of the Youth Sport Trust, Annette Montague, said: “Youth Sport Trust Partner Schools share our belief that sport changes lives and understand how it can be used across the curriculum.”