Pupils and staff at a Newmarket primary school are celebrating after being recognised for their commitment to sport.

Laureate Community Academy, in Exning Road, were awarded the Schools Games Platinum Award for their sporting activities, with many pupils organising activities under the guidance of PE teachers Ruth Baxter and Tim Coote.

The award-scheme is government-led and was launched in 2012 – the year of the London Summer Olympics – to recognise schools’ commitment to developing competition through sport.

The school had previously been given five gold awards and received the platinum one at the first time of applying.

David Perkins, headteacher, said: “This was the first year we were eligible to apply for the platinum award and to achieve it at the first attempt was fantastic.”

As well as setting up equipment and running sessions, pupils have also recorded scores, taken photographs and written reports for the school newsletter.

This has led to a number of young sports leaders achieving the newly-created Laureate Leadership Awards.

Mr Perkins added: “We are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport.”