School Games Mark Update

The 2019 academic year saw the School Games Mark Award reach over 10,000 Schools, an achievement you should all be hugely proud of.

With the 2020 School Games Mark window due to open in less than two weeks, the team at the Youth Sport Trust working closely with Sport England, has worked hard to consult with a range of stakeholders on the approach to take in light of COVID-19, school closures and social distancing measures.

The consultation has included SGOs, Development Coaches and importantly a sample of schools that in 2019 achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold School Games Mark.

While there were, of course, a number of schools that felt they had the relevant information to report on two terms worth of work, the overriding feedback from the Head Teachers we spoke to was that the priority for staff during the summer term was to cater for the immediate needs of students while also preparing for school returning to a new normal. 

With all of this information in mind, the decision has been made to pause the 2020 School Games Mark; as a result schools will retain their 2019 School Games Mark Award. 

To provide some reassurances;

• Platinum schools will retain the status for a further year 
• Schools that would have been eligible for platinum this year will continue to be eligible in 2021

What next?

• A formal communication will be shared with School Games registered schools on Friday 24th April, directing them to [email protected] for any queries 
• We recognise that for some schools this news will come as a disappointment. In recognition of this, and based on the feedback from those involved in the consultation, we are working on the development of a certificate that SGOs can present to their schools recognising their involvement in the virtual programmes over the summer term. 

We would once again like to thank you all for your ongoing commitment during these difficult times and look forward to continuing to support PSSP schools over this period.