TWO Wiltshire schools have been awarded the Association for PE's Quality Mark. Only eight schools in the country received the award with distinction.

Monkton Park Primary in Chippenham and Hullavington Primary were given the Spring 2015 award for the quality of their PE curriculum and school sport activities.

John Barlow, headteacher at Monkton Park, said: "It is great to have the work of the school recognised in this way. PE and sport are really important to us.

"We want our children to be accomplished, well-rounded and ready for the next stage of their education. I would like to thank all the pupils and the staff for all their hard work."

Teachers have been mentored by the Up and Under Sports programme, and all pupils are involved in leadership work, with Year 6 pupils trained as sports leaders and other year groups helping out at lunchtime as play leaders.

Some of the more unusual sports on offer are lacrosse, handball and orienteering.

PE leader Jan Douglas said: "We were thrilled to be asked to be part of a filming day with Stuart Kingwell from Up and Under Sports to produce some video case studies for their Coaching in School Sport online tool.

"The tool will be used to support coaches who work in schools to gain a greater understanding of how to work collaboratively with teachers."

At Hullavington School, headteacher Sue Tudge said: "It's important children know what makes them fit and healthy and have fun doing it, to make exercise a lifelong thing.

"We also got the Artsmark gold award in March [from Arts Council England]."

PE leader Sophie Pearce said: "We try to do things that interest the children. We've done judo, fencing, street dance and yoga."