PUPILS at a Marlow school can relax on their summer holidays knowing their sporting exertions throughout the year have been awarded the gold standard.

Burford School in Marlow has received the Sainsbury’s School Games Mark gold award for its competitive sporting activity over the school year.

Supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, the Games aim to motivate and inspire young people by encouraging them to take part in competitive school sport.

Ian Garner, assistant head teacher and PE coordinator , said:"It is wonderful to receive such recognition for all the hard work our staff put in to sport at Burford.

"The children perform to a terrific standard both in the curriculum and when competing against other schools. "

Burford School received a boost earlier this year when celebrity fitness training guru Greg Whyte popped in to give a motivational speech to pupils on the merits of exercise.

The Games are made up of four levels of activity: competition in schools, between schools, at county/area level and a national event for the most talented school age athletes.

To recognise good practice schools are encouraged to apply for Mark to celebrate their achievement and Burford School has been successful in achieving the gold standard.

Over the last year pupils have taken part in a range of competitive sporting opportunities including Athletics, Cricket, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Panathlon Challenge, Rounders, Rowing, Tag Rugby, Swimming and Cross-country.

Mike Diaper, Sport England’s director of community sport, said: "The Sainsbury’s School Games is a fantastic way for young people to get into sport and Burford School deserves this recognition for its commitment and dedication to developing the competition at school and in the local community."