PARRETT and Axe School in Mosterton is celebrating after achieving the highest recognition for their commitment to competitive sport, being one of only two schools in the whole of Dorset to achieve this accolade.

The award is part of the School Games Mark, a government-led awards scheme launched in 2012 and administered by national charity the Youth Sport Trust with the aim being to reward schools for a commitment to the development of competition into the community.

The Platinum Award is the new fourth level of the award scheme, introduced last year to celebrate schools who had shown consistently high-levels of enthusiasm and commitment to school sport.

Applications are only open to those schools who achieved five successive gold awards.

Nadia Dailey, West Dorset School Games organiser, said: “Parrett and Axe are the exact definition of what I would perceive to be a Platinum School Games Mark School.

“They work very hard to cater for every student in their school and even prepare their pre-school children to follow the healthy school approach that they follow from reception years.

“They allow every student in their school to shine at the thing they enjoy most, and support this through their years at school - whether it be dance, archery, windsurfing or football.

“Members of staff and parents work collaboratively to make sure children are supported and encouraged to take part in everything, and not just those sports they are deemed good at. This gives every child an overall experience, including SEND children. Well done To every at Parrett and Axe Primary School, your hard work and dedication is evident in the happiness of your children.”

Jayne Harris, sports lead at Parrett and Axe, was delighted with the award and praised the hard work of the children and the support of parents.