Awards success for Middlestown Primary Academy

Middlestown Primary Academy are celebrating after being named Active School of the Year for Wakefield, by Yorkshire Sport Foundation.  

The Active School Awards recognised how schools across South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire kept physical education, school sport and physical activity at the heart of school life during the last 12 months. There were nine district winners from across the two counties, with two overall county winners.   

In naming Middlestown Primary Academy as district winners for Wakefield, Yorkshire Sport Foundation praised the school for adapting to lockdown by making best use of technology and social media to continue to provide opportunities to be active for children at home. This included challenging families to draw pictures by tracking walks using the popular walking, running and cycling tracking app, Strava. 

Staff also adapted PE lessons so children could complete them at home without equipment, and physical activity was used to promote mental wellbeing by taking part in initiatives such as, ‘England Does The Daily Mile’. 

Nicolle Asquith, PE lead at Middlestown Primary, said: “We are so proud and honoured that we have been chosen as the district winners for the Active School Award. Health and fitness are such big parts of school life. Our aim is to improve the physical health, mental health, and the fitness of all children in school.  

“The children’s health and fitness are at the heart of our curriculum – it is part of our school development plan as we aim to maintain the highest possible expectations and standards across all aspects of school life. We are thrilled that we have been selected as the winners as it shows the dedication of both the staff and children at our school.” 

Alex Ogden, PE and School Sport Manager at Yorkshire Sport Foundation, commented: “A huge congratulations to the entire school on this award, who put activity at the heart of what it provides the children. 

“Research tells us that PE, school sport and physical activity can do so much for children’s physical and mental wellbeing, and during the last year that has been more important than ever. Everyone involved at the school should be incredibly proud of what they have done to achieve this recognition.”