A COCKERMOUTH primary school has won a top prize in recognition of all its healthy, active work.

Fairfield Primary School scooped the Active Education Award at the annual Cumbria Sports Awards.

The school runs a Forest School, organises fell walks for all students and offers three or four sports clubs each night as well as an active families sports club on Saturday.

The award is open to all county schools, colleges or universities that can demonstrate a commitment to providing high quality physical activity and sporting opportunities.

The judges said: "At the heart of Fairfield School’s ethos is a belief that the way to ensure people lead healthy, active lives is to instil a love for outdoor physical activity from a very young age; to develop a pattern of engagement with sporting activities which generates life-long choices and an established routine. They recognise that all pupils are unique, with different drives and interests.

"They offer a blend of family activities; community events; whole school hikes; forest school; quality coaching; competitive team sports; educating through the medium of sport; and investment in the provision of exciting school sports facilities. They are doing this fantastically well."

The award was presented to sports leaders and teachers Rob Barton and Kiesha Murphy.

Head teacher Chris Steele is a road and mountain runner, competing nationally and internationally.

He said: "We offer a wide range of activities throughout our whole curriculum, the judges recognised the passion for outdoors that our staff have and the engagement in active learning with the wider community.

"All of these things encourage and develop a great understanding of the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle across the whole school.

"I am immensely proud of Mr Barton and the whole team here at Fairfield for the work that has been done in this area."

Organised by Cumbria County Council’s Active Cumbria Team and supported by United Utilities, the sports awards recognise the outstanding talents, commitment and successes of teams and individuals throughout the county.