Tipton St John Primary School has been awarded the School Games Platinum Mark Award for the 2022/23 academic year.

The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012 to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community.

Tipton Primary’s sporting achievements this year include:

Winners of Year 5/6 Quad Kids

Team Storm Winners of Year 3/4 Tag Rugby Festival

Spirit of Games Award for East Devon Cross Country

Winners of the School Netball Festival

The school’s Sporting Lead is Richard Hatswell.

A spokesperson for the school said: “With all of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 competing in local inter-school competitions this year, we are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible.

“As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year.”

“A special thanks to Mr Hatswell, Alex Clements and Tracey Moran – we look forward to applying once again in 2024!”

The School Games Panel said: “As a small rural primary school with a higher than average percentage of SEND children, Tipton St John has worked extensively to offer an ‘Achievement for All’ philosophy. The school and teaching staff should be congratulated for their continued commitment and passion during another challenging academic year which has included a major flooding disaster for the school.”

The panel said the school’s case study ‘reflects a passion for inclusion’ and praised its work with the children most in need of extra support, which has reduced anxiety, increased participation in physical activities and begun to improve their mental well-being. They said the school has plans in place for more of this additional support in the coming year.

They concluded: “Well done, Richard Hatswell, their Sporting Lead and all staff at Tipton St John Primary School on a highly successful year and a deserved Platinum School Games Mark award.”