Petworth Primary celebrates double award success

Petworth CofE Primary School has been awarded two awards, recognising its commitment to both sport and computer science.

The Platinum School Games Mark is the highest national award a school can receive for its commitment to physical education, school sport and physical activity.

Last academic year, the school participated in over 70 different sporting events, allowing pupils to take part in both traditional and non-traditional sports.

Headteacher John Galvin said that children not only play games like football and netball, but also orienteering, ultimate frisbee – and even Quidditch.

“Sport can offer so much to every child. They meet new people, move outside their comfort zones and, of course, get fit and healthy. It’s not about winning, it’s about giving children confidence.”

He said that while Petworth pupils can try different sports and then join clubs outside of school, children in Key Stage 2 can take part in matches and fixtures across the county. The girls' cricket team even made it to the county final.

“I want my Year Six pupils to be able to go on to secondary school having found a sport they love and having had the opportunity to captain a team and represent the school.”

Paying tribute to teacher Emily Stedman, who leads the sports provision, he said one of the girls, who had never really touched a ball, is now so taken with sport that her mother jokingly complained about all the evenings she now spends on the sidelines and at practices.

The platinum award comes as schools prepare for a major shift in PE funding, with the long‑running Sport Premium due to end after the 2026/27 transition year.

Sector leaders warn the change is likely to mean fewer specialist‑led clubs, tighter swimming budgets and reduced spending on new equipment, as schools lose the ring‑fenced annual grant that has underpinned much of their provision for the past decade.

Mr Galvin said: “My own children didn’t really have the opportunity to play sports at school, and that’s such a shame.

“But I really believe that it is so important for pupils to give it a go and gain some confidence.”

Meanwhile, the school has also been awarded the Computing Quality Mark, a national accreditation awarded to state-funded schools in England that demonstrate excellence in their computing education provision.

Mr Galvin said: “The children and staff have worked hard to ensure that our pupils' curriculum education is of the highest standard.

Amongst the categories the inspection process included were the school's leadership, curriculum, teaching, and SEND.”

He told the Midhurst and Petworth Observer that learning how to stay safe online “underpins everything we do, and that includes the parents as well.”

Adapting to a changing technological landscape, the school teaches children “that sometimes computers are the best tool to use – especially if handwriting is tough.”

The children are taught how to dictate, code, and use AI thoughtfully. Programmes like Times Tables Rockstars are integrated into the curriculum, and children are encouraged to use computers to solve problems.

Both awards, he said, reflect the school’s determination to give every child the skills and confidence they need to thrive in an increasingly physical and digital world.