At Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery School, pupils are encouraged to stay active from an early age. As well as understanding the benefits that keeping fit and leading a healthy lifestyle can bring, they also know just how much fun sport can be too.

Last week, twenty-seven of our Reception children jumped at the chance to attend a multi-skills festival held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre. Across the course of the session, pupils practised their ball skills, throwing, catching and running in a whole host of activities, including hopping challenges, pancake races and penalty shoot outs.

Miss Kelly, who accompanied the children, told us that the dress the scarecrow race was their favourite activity because everyone loved dressing each other up and showed such fantastic team spirit.

The youngsters were delighted to find out that by working together, supporting one another and being utterly enthusiastic they had placed third out of the 7 schools who competed.

All of the children left fully energised and beaming with pride as they cheerfully carried their certificates back to school. A huge thanks to the Sedgefield Sports Partnership and Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre for hosting such an enjoyable event.