BORDERS schools are making the grade when it comes to delivering school sports programmes.

The sportscotland School Sport Award, recognizing the innovation and achievement in delivering school sport, has now been awarded to 23 schools in the region for this academic year.

The awards included seven new gold schools this year, taking the total to nine as Ancrum Primary, Drumlanrig St Cuthbert’s Primary School, Burgh Primary, Kelso High, Kingsland Primary, Priorsford Primary and Parkside Primary become the latest schools to win the top award.

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “Congratulations to staff and pupils in the Borders who are putting sport and physical education right at the heart of their school and local community. They should be proud of this fantastic achievement.

“It’s great to be able to recognise more schools than we ever have before, it shows that pupils, staff and parents across the country see the undoubted value in having sport as a crucial part of school life.”

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 by an independent panel of experts.

Councillor Euan Jardine, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Sport, said: “Schools in the Borders do excellent work around promoting physical activity and sport, which are both proven to provide both physical and mental benefits for young people.

“This is why it is fantastic news that 23 schools on our region have been recognised by sportscotland’s School Sport Awards.

“I hope to see more schools in the Scottish Borders pick up a school sport award in the coming months and years.”

The award is supported by the Active Schools Network, a programme that involves sportscotland working in partnership with all 32 local authorities to encourage schools to ensure there are opportunities for all children and young people to engage, participate and reach their potential in this area.

The on-line self-assessment tool supports schools to achieve this by helping them to reflect on their current practice and identify areas for improvement. It also puts the young people in the school at the forefront of the decision making and implementation processes around sport in their school.

Graeme Murdoch, charity Live Borders’ Active Communities Manager, said: “We are delighted to be involved in supporting schools to achieve their School Sport Award.

“Schools who have self-assessed their own provision and then taken the time to submit evidence have worked exceptionally hard with partners to showcase their progress and to demonstrate all areas of school sport.

“Congratulations to all the staff and pupils involved. Engagement with schools is a vital part of our work, as we strive to ensure everyone in the Scottish Borders is healthier, happier and stronger.”