Valence School wins National Award
A school is celebrating after winning a national award. Valence School from Westerham in Kent won the Sainsbury Active Kids award presented at the Youth Sport Trust’s Innovation Awards ceremony which celebrated and rewarded best practice and achievement by schools with a specialism in sport.
The award recognised the amazing work and dedication shown by teachers, pupils, friends and family from Valence School in collecting the Active Kids Vouchers and putting them to the use of young people.
The Sainsbury's Active Kids scheme delivers in the form of equipment and coaching, that go beyond the traditional curriculum-based sports and PE lessons, for all types of schools, nurseries, Scout and Guide groups and Clubmark accredited clubs, and for all ages and abilities.
Jo Eames, Director of Sport at Valence School said: "Huge thank you to everyone who supports us. It makes a big difference to benefit from new equipment. Thank you to people in the community who donated to us."
Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “This award is fantastic recognition for the innovative way in which Valence are harnessing the power of the sports specialism and the potential of National School Sport Week to inspire young people. 2009 was another fantastic year for Specialist Sports Colleges, with sport once again being recognised as the fastest improving specialism.”
During the awards ceremony, one of the highlights of the Youth Sport Trust’s Sports Colleges Conference 2010, members of staff from Valence School met with Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle and Shadow Sports Minister Hugh Robertson who presented them with their award and 10,000 additional Active Kids Vouchers.
Hugh Robertson said, “I congratulate Valence School on winning this award and for everything they are doing for school sport. It is a culmination of a lot of hard work and everybody in the school and the community should be very proud of what they have achieved.”
