Sporty school staff honoured at awards evening

Darren Gill, headteacher at Aston Fence Primary School, Swallownest, and wife Jill, assistant headteacher at Swinton’s Brookfield Academy, were honoured with lifetime achievement awards.

Ivy Dorchester-Brown, RMBC primary PE consultant, said the couple had been given the honour for their long-standing commitment.

“The opportunities they have given to pupils, taking children to sporting festivals, upskilling staff - they go above and beyond,” she added.

“Both of them have ensured they’ve given every child a chance to represent their school in sport before they leave.”

The pair were among hard-working PE teachers and health and wellbeing champions from schools across the borough honoured at the Rotherham Sporting Achievements Award Evening at Magna.

Other winners last Wednesday evening included Thornhill Primary School, which was crowned primary school of the year and Gina Williams from Trail Blazers and Allstars Cheerleading, who received the world class coaching award.

Marathon man Ray Matthews, advocate of the Run a Mile a Day initiative to get schoolchildren running, presented health and wellbeing awards to Maltby Crags Primary School, Wales High School and Oakwood High School

Rebecca Hunt from Whiston Junior and Infant School, was one of seven teachers to receive an outstanding PE co-ordinator award. She was instrumental in bringing a new all-weather running track to the school.

Rotherham United chief executive Paul Douglas was also on hand to announce Wickersley School and Sports College and Wath Comprehensive School as joint winners of the secondary school of the year award.

Ms Dorchester-Brown added: “Our evening was to celebrate the fantastic, high-quality PE, sport and health and well-being across Rotherham with all our key partners involved including Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Active Rotherham, RUCST and Rotherham School Improvement Service.

“We had performances from St Alban’s C of E Primary School, Swallownest Primary School and the cheerleading team from Bramley Grange Primary School.”