A Calne school, which is on the ball when it comes to sport, has won gold from a national charity.

St Margaret’s Preparatory School has been awarded the Gold Quality Mark by the Youth Sport Trust, which is devoted to changing young people’s lives through sport.

Head of sport Dan Dury said: “We are very pleased to have this recognition that the quality of the sport we are offering all of our pupils is at a high standard.”

As well as having excellent sports facilities, the school appointed pupils as sports ambassadors for each year group to act as role models to offer encouragement and support during lessons and in extra-curricular clubs.

Mr Dury said: “Appointing sports ambassadors is a new initiative and it has been very successful. We are fortunate to share a site with St Mary’s, so our children benefit from a wide range of facilities. These include a 25m indoor swimming pool and an all-weather surface Astroturf for hockey, tennis, football and lacrosse. Primary schools and members of the local community are able to access our facilities for various lessons and clubs.”

This year, as well as competing in traditional sports such as netball, hockey, cricket and rugby, some pupils have also successfully competed in biathlons and triathlons and three pupils qualified to compete in the British Schools’ Modern Biathlon Championships at the Olympic Park in London.

Additionally, a pupil from Year 3 won the gold medal at the World Biathle Champ-ionship held in Italy in June.

A spokesman for the Youth Sport Trust said: “We congratulate St Margaret’s Preparatory School on achieving the gold award.”