ALVA Primary School was runners-up for the Active Nation Award at the annual Scottish Education Awards.

The category recognised the work which was undertaken through physical activity, sport, PE, and active learning in and out of school, the local community and beyond and for the many partnerships with local clubs and Clackmannanshire Council.

The school has around 300 full time pupils and approx 80 pupils in the nursery between morning and afternoon sessions.

Education Convener, Councillor Ellen Forson explained, "The core of this work is the formal PE curriculum delivered using a Council programme which develops skills, fitness and various sports which starts with three-year olds in nursery with the Active Start Programme.

"For the school to be runners-up in the whole of Scotland is a fantastic achievement and one that they should be rightly proud of." The major outcome of this work is that all pupils receive high quality PE teaching on a regular timetabled basis throughout the school allowing achievement of the government target of two hours PE per week minimum.

Councillor Forson added, "This work is also a major influence on the health and well being work at Alva Primary School." In order to support the work a considerable number of activities supported by staff, Clackmannanshire Council's Sports Development Department, parents, local sports clubs and community groups are on offer to the children through the provision of lunchtime and after school clubs both in and out of school.

Pupils are consistently given opportunities to share sporting success at assemblies and there are a number of display boards, sports record books, photographs and trophies displayed throughout the school.

Councillor Forson went on, "Children at Alva Primary School are encouraged to participate and then think about improving their performance to develop skills and enhance lifestyles thus helping improve their future outcomes and encourage other family members. It is this, as well as the rest of the programme, which has seen the school do so well in these national awards." Former pupils regularly return to school to share their successes at secondary school and beyond.

Recently they had a training session from a former pupil who now plays for the Scotland rugby seven-a-side team, Adam Ashe and this was supported by a visit to the Emirates 7s in Glasgow last May where the children got to meet the team.

Councillor Forson said, "They have developed a philosophy over a number of years and base it upon participation, enjoyment, self improvement, sharing success, team work, appreciating the efforts of others, learning to win and to lose and having fun.

"I am delighted the school were nominated in this category, but to finish runners-up is a tremendous honour not just for Alva Primary but for the whole of Clackmannanshire." The winners of the award was Abercorn Secondary, which was announced at a ceremony in Glasgow's Hilton Hotel, sponsored by the Daily Record.