St Mary’s School in Menston has gained Youth Sport Trust Gold Partner status for the school’s outstanding commitment to PE and School Sport.

The Bradford Road school’s exceptional curricular and extra-curricular work as a Sports College is recognised, as is the school’s commitment to the wider community and international projects.

As a Youth Sport Trust Partner School, St Mary’s will receive additional training and development opportunities and will engage in additional national education and sport initiatives.

Assistant headteacher David Geldart said: “We are delighted to become a Youth Sport Trust Gold status school. The award recognises the school’s commitment to delivering high quality physical education and sport experiences for all our students and in the wider community. Such opportunities offer a wide range of educational and health benefits which can change lives.”

Acting faculty leader of physical education and sport Craig Thornton said staff were thrilled with the award.

He said: “We are responsible for a massive programme at St Mary’s and beyond and it is great to have the quality and extent of this work recognised. The award acknowledges the hard work of the staff that make all of this possible.”

Education director at 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 to improve attainment.

“PE and school sport can be a catalyst for young people to live healthy, active lives and we are delighted to be working with schools across the country to support them in developing this provision.

“We have an increasing number of schools applying for our partner school status, which is a testament to the ongoing commitment that schools have in making a difference for young people and creating a world-class system for PE and Sport.”