In choosing a winner the ISA Judges were looking for schools evidencing their outstanding sporting provision in relation to opportunities offered to pupils, including partnership work with state schools and the wider community. Judges looked for entries demonstrating high levels of participation in sport across the school.

The Sports Department at the independent Woodlands Preparatory School in Great Warley, which takes boys and girls from 3 to 11, and has an onsite nursery was shortlisted last year before wowing the judges with the work they have done to promote healthy lifestyles and wellbeing, already this year achieving a Platinum award for their commitment in the government’s Sportsmark scheme.

This latest result marks the culmination of 7 years work for Head of PE Madeline Raymond who said: “The benefits of our sports and healthy lifestyle programme are immense. At a time when more and more children seem to be leading sedentary lifestyles, our focus on daily movement, partnerships and healthy diet for all are paying real dividends.”

David Bell, Headmaster at Woodlands Prep said: “I am so proud of the exceptional skill and hard work our PE department and pupils have shown to be acknowledged with this prestigious award. This year alone we have witnessed our children go on to achieve exceptional successes including representing the school in national competitions such as swimming at the Olympic Pool in Stratford, whilst our youngest children are encouraged to make healthy food choices through our ‘Eat the Rainbow’ programme.”