School of Sporting Success

July 2022 – We are absolutely delighted to have been reaccredited with the Association for Physical Education Quality Mark with distinction, which we retain for another 3 years. Birchwood is the only school in the country to have received this level of recognition on three consecutive occasions!

The validator has highlighted the following reasons for the award:

• The leadership and management of PE, School Sport and Physical Activity (PESSPA) are outstanding and exemplary
• The commitment of Leadership Team and the whole school community towards PESSPA is excellent and continuous
• Learning in, and through, the physical is at the core of the school curriculum and supports all other curricular areas
• The support for all pupils and staff to ensure they can all be the best they can be is ‘lived’ every day and is to be celebrated
• The attention to detail and quality in all aspects of PESSPA e.g. record keeping, tracking, planning and monitoring are exceptional and shared as ‘best practice’ beyond the school
• The range, quality and relevance of PESSPA to ensure full access for all pupils are excellent
• Pupils and staff talk highly about their experiences and share the importance of PESSPA and how it improves their physical health and mental well-being
• The ongoing development and innovation of on-line PESSPA learning and participation during the school closures are excellent
• PESSPA is definitely and explicitly at the heart of school life and there is a solid and continuous commitment to keep developing, improving and sharing.

SPORTING SUCCESS ACCOLADES​​​​​

2015

• School Games Gold Mark for PE provision
• First primary school in Suffolk to be awarded the Association for Physical Education (AfPE) Quality Mark with distinction
• Won Suffolk School of Sporting Excellence

2016

• Retained its School Games Gold Mark for PE provision
• Suffolk Sport case study video work (sharing our exemplary practice nationally)
• School’s SLT take part in a roundtable discussion at 10 Downing Street with ministers regarding physical activity and tackling obesity

2017

• Retained its School Games Gold Mark for PE provision
• Mrs Davies won a National Rugby Hero Award
• Won Suffolk School of Sporting Excellence
• Subject Lead presents Birchwood’s PE Curriculum at the annual Suffolk Sport Regional Conference

2018

• Won the County LTA Education Award for tennis provision
• Mr Hough won LTA Coach of the Year
• Retained its School Games Gold Mark
• Reaccredited with the (AfPE) Quality Mark with distinction – the first Primary School in Suffolk to do so!

2019

• Retained its School Games Gold Mark for PE provision and due to this sustained achievement over the previous 4 years has been upgraded to Platinum (one of two Suffolk Schools to achieve this accolade)!
• Shortlisted again for ‘School of Sporting Excellence’

2020

• Retained Platinum School Games Mark for PE provision
• Awarded the School Games Virtual Award for support, commitment and engagement in virtual programmes

2021

• Retained Platinum School Games Mark for PE provision

2022

• Level 3 RHS Gardening Award
• Royal Forestry Society Junior Jubilee Foresters Award
• Retained AfPE Quality Mark with Distinction for the 3rd consecutive time (spanning 9 years) – first school in the country to do so!
• Deep Dive OFSTED Inspection PE – Outstanding Provision

2023

• Retained Platinum School Games Mark for PE provision

2025

• Retained the Platinum School Games Mark for PE provision
• 1st Place at the inclusive Bowling competition of the Westbourne Pyramid
• 2nd place in the Boys development football event
• 6th place at the girls football competitive event
• First time entering a Clip and Climb inclusive event
• OPAL scheme started in school including new active play equipment
• December 2025 Santa Fun run on The Green