WHEATLEY Park School have won a prestigious award from Sport England for the quality of their physical education and sport.

The coveted Sportsmark award is made to schools in England who show a commitment to developing sport in partnership with their local community.

Roger Kerr, assistant headteacher said: "It is a super result and a testament both to the hard work of our PE staff and community sports partners."

The school have strong links with organisations such as Oxford City Leisure, Wheatley Rugby Club, Oxford Athletics Club, Oxford Brookes University Sports Dept and Aquarius Diving Club.

Julie Stafford, head of PE, was thrilled with the award.

She said: "I am delighted that Sport England has recognised our achievements in providing a progressive, well-balanced physical education programme."

The school prides itself on the variety of their sporting activities, which range from sailing, taekwon-do, sculling, fencing and scuba diving to competitive teams in the more traditional school sports of rugby, netball, tennis, football and hockey.

A post has also been created from the partnership with Wheatley Rugby Club, as the school now employs a rugby coach in the shape of Steve Kemp.

He also helps run Rugby Football Union coaching courses for year 12 and 13 students which support the A-level sports studies course, as well as providing additional staffing for school sports.