A SCHOOL in Oxford has been recognised for encouraging friendly competition in sports.

Sandhills Community Primary School has been awarded the silver standard in a government-led awards scheme called the School Games Mark.

Schools can apply annually for consideration in the scheme, which celebrates schools for their commitment to developing competition in school and their wider community'.

Judges consider how many pupils are being engaged in sport, how many are entering sports competitions, and partnerships with sports clubs.

Writing to parents this week, headteacher Jane Settle credited the award to 'immense hard work and the enthusiasm and energy of the children'.

She said she was 'enormously proud' and she hoped sporting provision at the school would go from 'strength to strength'.