Celebrating School Games Mark Success Across North Tyneside
School Games Mark is about much more than a badge on a school wall. It is a celebration of the opportunities schools create for young people to be active, compete, lead, have their voices heard and develop skills that can stay with them for life.
The School Games Mark is a government-led award scheme that recognises schools’ commitment to developing accessible and enjoyable sport within school and the wider community. It provides schools with a framework to reflect on their PE, school sport and physical activity provision, celebrate their achievements and identify areas for continued improvement. Schools can achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold, with Platinum recognising schools that have achieved Gold consistently over five years.
For North Tyneside, the Mark provides an opportunity to celebrate the excellent work taking place across our schools. This year’s results demonstrate the continued commitment of schools, teachers, School Games Organisers, young leaders and partners to ensuring that children and young people have positive experiences of physical activity and competition.
More than a sporting award
While achieving Gold or Platinum is an important achievement, the real value of School Games Mark is what happens behind the award.
Taking part in sport and physical activity can help young people develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, determination and self-belief.
Importantly, the School Games approach is increasingly about ensuring that opportunities are available to all young people, not simply those who are already confident or talented in sport. The current School Games Mark criteria place a strong emphasis on tackling inequalities, inclusion, equal opportunities, physical literacy, leadership, youth engagement and helping young people to achieve 60 active minutes each day.
That represents an important shift in focus: from simply asking “How many competitions have we entered?” to asking “What difference are we making to young people?”
A changing focus – putting young people at the centre
One of the most exciting developments is the growing importance of youth voice.
Young people should not simply be participants in school sport; they should have a say in shaping it. Giving pupils opportunities to influence activities, competitions and physical activity provision helps them develop ownership and leadership skills while ensuring that the offer reflects what they actually want and need.
The School Games Mark now specifically recognises how schools use youth engagement and leadership to support the personal development of targeted young people.
This matters because when young people feel listened to, they are more likely to feel that sport and physical activity is for them. Whether they become a competitor, leader, official, organiser, volunteer or simply discover an activity they enjoy, their experience can help build confidence and create positive habits that extend beyond school.
Six years of progress in North Tyneside
The North Tyneside picture today is very different from six years ago. The growth in School Games Mark achievement reflects a wider development in the quality, ambition and inclusivity of school sport across the borough.
42 schools achieved School Games Mark six years ago, compared with 55 schools in 2025/26. The number achieving gold or platinum status has also increased from 29 schools to 53 schools.
This progress is significant because it represents more than an increase in awards. It demonstrates that school sport in North Tyneside has continued to develop, with schools embedding physical activity, competition, leadership and inclusion into wider school life.
There are already examples of this sustained commitment. Both SGO programme host sites, John Spence Community High School and Benton Dene Primary school, have achieved Platinum status for an incredible seventh consecutive year in 2025/26!
North Tyneside and the national picture
The borough's achievements are particularly encouraging when considered alongside the national picture. In 2024/25, 9,539 schools nationally applied for a School Games Mark – a 6% increase on the previous year – and 83% of applying schools achieved Gold or Platinum. The number of applications from secondary schools also increased by 10%.
Against this national benchmark, North Tyneside schools continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to school sport and physical activity. 96.4% of participating North Tyneside schools achieved Gold or Platinum this year, compared with the national figure of 83%.
This comparison is important, but perhaps even more important is what sits behind the numbers: schools working to remove barriers, provide more opportunities, develop young leaders and listen to what their pupils want.
Looking ahead
North Tyneside's progress over the past six years shows what can happen when schools, staff, the PESSPA team and the wider school sport network work together with a shared ambition.
The next chapter is about building on that progress: listening to young people, widening participation, strengthening leadership and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to enjoy being active and experience the benefits of school sport.
The School Games Mark gives us a reason to celebrate where we are. More importantly, it gives us a framework to ask where we go next.
Ready to find out more?
Get in touch if you would like to find out more about the School Games Mark and getting involved with your school.
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