Published 15 October 2024

Pupils at Bonhill Primary School are celebrating after being awarded a sportscotland Gold School Sport Award – the only school in West Dunbartonshire to achieve this last term.

The award recognises the school’s efforts to put quality physical education and school sport at the heart of their planning, practice and ethos.

Bonhill Primary School values the importance of health and wellbeing of their pupils with staff along with the Active Schools Coordinator working tirelessly to ensure all pupils have a range of opportunities to get active, more often.

Pupils at the school took part in a broad timetable of extra-curricular sports clubs during 2023/24 including Cross-Country, Dance, Fun Circuits, Football, Mini-Movers, Multi-Sports, Netball and Yoga. The Clubs offered every child from Primary 1-7 the opportunity to participate in sport outwith the school day. The clubs were delivered by a group of volunteers including staff, parents, college students and senior pupils from Vale of Leven Academy.

Senior pupils received Play Leader training delivered by West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust, with Active Schools Coordinator offering pupils additional lunchtime sports clubs to Primary 1 and 2 pupils during 2024. Pupils also enjoyed the inter-school dodgeball tournament, mini Highland Games, took part in the Daily Mile programme and as part of the school’s Health Week  enjoyed free taster sessions with local community sports clubs.

Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “This is fantastic recognition for the school and everyone involved deserves huge credit. As a Council, we are committed to improving the life chances of our young people and having an active healthy life from a young age is key to being healthy as an adult.  I would like to congratulate everyone at Bonhill Primary School on this achievement and for encouraging their pupils to lead active lifestyles.” 

Councillor John Millar, Vice Convener of Educational Services, said: “A huge well done to the school and all the external clubs who have supported the school in receiving this sportscotland Gold School Sport Award. This award recognises the outstanding work by our staff to ensure pupils have the opportunity to participate and succeed in a good range of physical activity. I would like to thank our dedicated staff and parent volunteers for their commitment as this has helped the school receive this prestigious award.”