Four Argyll and Bute schools have been named among the first 15 schools in Scotland to be recognised with a gold sportscotland School Sport Award.

Arinagour Primary School, on the Isle of Coll; Park Primary School in Oban; Salen Primary School on Mull and Campbeltown Grammar School were the successful winners.

Argyll and Bute was one of three local authorities chosen to take part in a pilot scheme for the awards, which recognise schools’ innovation and achievement in delivering physical education and extra-curricular sport.

The council’s Executive Director for Community Services, Cleland Sneddon, said, “Delivering quality education services that create opportunities for our young people is a priority, and our focus on preparing them to live active, healthier lives starts as early as possible – in our schools.

“This is a marvellous achievement, with Argyll and Bute winning four gold, twelve silver and eleven bronze awards. Congratulations to the schools, the pupils, our PE Co-ordinator and our Active Schools staff – they have all done a great job.”

The twelve Silver Awards were achieved by - Drumlemble Primary School, Dunbeg Primary School, Kilmodan Primary School, Kirn Primary School, Lochgilphead Primary School, Lochnell Primary School, Strath of Appin Primary School, Strone Primary School, Tayvallich Primary School, Islay High School, Rothesay Academy and Tarbert Academy.

The eleven Bronze Awards were achieved by - Castlehill Primary School, Dalintober Primary School, Dunoon Primary School, Gigha Primary School, Glenbarr Primary, Hermitage Primary, Rothesay Primary School, Southend Primary School, St Andrew's Primary School, Tarbert Academy Primary and Dunoon Grammar School.

Announcing the awards, Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, said, “So many schools across Scotland are now excelling in physical education and sport and it is important they that are recognised for their hard work and input. It is so encouraging to see that such a high number of schools have achieved gold awards, and I am confident that those who have been awarded silver and bronze will soon work their way up to gold.

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said, “The sportscotland School Sport Awards are an excellent way of celebrating those schools which are performing to a high level in both physical education and extra-curricular sport. We are developing and supporting a world-class sporting system at all levels, and a crucial part of that is creating closer links between physical education, school sport and club sport, which this scheme will help to encourage.”

To achieve a bronze or silver sportscotland School Sport Award, schools self-assess their current practice. However, to gain gold status an extensive external assessment is also carried out.