ARCHBISHOP of York C of E Junior School in Bishopthorpe is one of 254 schools in the country to be presented with the national Activemark award from Sport England.

The award comes in recognition of the school's consistent efforts to keep their pupils active and fit.

A total of 150 primary schools have received Activemark, while a further 104 have been awarded Activemark Gold for 'outstanding commitment to physical activity as part of the school's provision'.

Activemark and Activemark Gold are national awards which are valid for three years, and Archbishops will now receive a plaque and certificate to display in the school plus a copy of the British Heart Foundation's Active School Resource Pack for Primary Schools.

Sport England's acting chief executive Roger Draper congratulated all the schools. He said: "We need to re-emphasise the benefits of sport and physical activity to children and young people through positive first experiences at school.

"These schools have been awarded Activemark for doing just that. They have shown a dedication to bring PE and sport to the fore of the school's focus and have encouraged their pupils to be active both in and out of lessons."

Schools interested in the award can contact a free phone Helpline on 0800 169 2299, Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm, with the closing date for the next round of the Activemark accreditation on November 1.

Updated: 10:03 Friday, July 18, 2003