Thrilling varsity showdown: schools compete in first-ever cross-academy trust event

Redscope Primary School in Kimberworth Park hosted its first ever special Varsity Day against children from Thorpe Helsey and Anston Greenlands primaries, who are also in the New Collaborative Learning Trust.

A total of 160 Year 4 students went head to head in sports challenges for their school, with help from the young adults from New College Pontefract.

All students took part in athletics, with others also competing in football, dodgeball and boccia.

Extra care was taken to ensure every student could take part, and the winners received medals for their success.

Redscope head teacher Alison Bradbury said: “We organised the event as a collaboration between primary schools.

“The children loved it and it was so nice to see them as well as the staff interact with the other schools.”

The success of the event means that it will now be held annually, with Year 4 pupils fighting it out every year.

Ms Bradbury said the children had particularly enjoyed the cross-country race through the long grass and a team exercise in which they had to run with cups of water.

“All of the schools jumped at the chance to take part so it wasn’t difficult to organise,” she said.

“The hardest part was working out when we were all available.”

Thorpe Hesley took home the crown as the overall winner but it was close with one point separating the schools.