STAFF and schoolchildren on Portland are celebrating today after scooping a national sports award.

Royal Manor School has been awarded top marks for its commitment to PE and sport and has received Sportsmark status for the second time.

The school is one of 457 across the country to win the accolade from Sport England and it marks the successful PE and sports programmes run during and after school.

Head of PE John Godbold and other members of staff developed the bid for the status, which lasts for three years.

Mr Godbold said: "This is the second time we have been awarded the status and we are really pleased.

"We had to put a package together to show what the school offers in terms of the curricular, extra-curricular activities, teams and competitions, sports leadership and staff development and coaching.

"This award reinforces the progress we have made in terms of the school's PE department."

The latest award comes less than a month after the school scooped a cash windfall for a new sports co-ordinator to set up new clubs and activities.

Royal Manor was also recently awarded the FA Charter standard in recognition of the quality of curricular and extra-curricular football on offer.

Deputy headteacher Rob Russell said the Sportsmark status award has given the school a real sense of achievement.

He said: "PE and sport has always had a high priority in our school but this recognition by Sport England gives us special credentials that we can shout about."

The Sportsmark status is also awarded for developing out-of-hours schemes for pupils and for schoolchildren to move from sport to sport in the community.

Fifty schools across England received Sportsmark Gold awards and Mr Russell said in the future the school would be aiming to bid for this higher status.

He added: "For a school of our size our achievement is great as the award is given on what PE and sports facilities are provided for pupils.

"We will continue to improve the sports and PE facilities and hopefully in the future bid for the gold status."

Chairman of Sport England, an organisation that distributes Lottery money, Trevor Brooking, praised the school for its PE and sports provision and said: "The school is to be applauded for its consistent efforts in making sure youngsters are keeping fit and healthy."