PUPILS and staff at Park Primary School were jumping for joy after winning a gold award from sportscotland in recognition of their commitment to physical education and sports.

The organisation, which is Scotland's national agency for sport, also provided the school with a prestigious flag and plaque at a special ceremony to mark their achievement.

The school is now one of just 284 primaries in Scotland to have achieved the high standards required to win the gold award.

Staff at Park PS ensure pupils have at least two hours of physical education each week, and has a dedicated sports committee of P5-7 pupils.

As well as that, over 80 percent of pupils take part in lunchtime or after-school clubs like rugby, athletics, football, netball, basketball, gymnastics and dance.

Adrienne Aitken, the school's head teacher, called the award "an honour".

She said: "We believe that physical activity and sport are important factors in the curriculum, and linking this to the sporting opportunities available for our pupils in the community is crucial for their continuing involvement as they grow into adulthood.

"We work incredibly hard to deliver as wide a variety of sporting opportunities for the children in the school and we're proud of the part played by our pupils, both in taking part in and leading sporting activities within the school."

Steven Coulter, from Sportscotland, added: "Not only have the Park team put physical education and sport at the heart of their school and local community, but they have managed to do so in a way that encourages all pupils to engage in physical activity whilst having fun at the same time."