A COUNTY Durham school has been honoured for being ace at inspiring pupils to play tennis.
Polam Hall School, in Darlington, has been named ‘School of the Year’ at the Durham and Cleveland Tennis Awards.
The award, backed by the Lawn Tennis Association, recognises the school’s outstanding commitment and inclusive approach to the sport.
Principal Kate Reid said: “We are thrilled to receive this award. It is testament to the hard work that has gone into building the school’s strong reputation for excelling at tennis and a wide range of other sports.”
Mrs Reid praised the leadership of the school’s Head of Sport and Technology, Craig Wilkinson, and his team in the PE department.
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“They have created a real buzz around tennis in the school, enabling pupils who might otherwise have missed out on the sport to give it a go and find they enjoy it.”
Mr Wilkinson added: “Our approach to sport in the school is focused on driving up participation levels and getting as many pupils as possible involved, so we’re delighted to be recognised with this prestigious award.”
Polam Hall’s commitment to tennis traditionally comes to an exciting climax in the last week of the summer term with a ‘mini Wimbledon’ event featuring tournaments for all year groups and staff, topped off with strawberries and cream being served from the canteen.
The school, which is part of the Woodard Academies Trust, has also formed a positive partnership with New Blackwell Lawn Tennis Club, with the Darlington club allowing access to its courts for the school tournaments.
One of the school’s governors, Kate Heljula, provides additional volunteer coaching support, and games captains, Daciana Ceapa-Ionescu and Arthur Chinchen help with extra-curricular sporting activities.
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The school has teams from all age groups competing in local leagues and the two girls’ teams in the senior school both made it to the Northern Regional Finals. Polam Hall was the only state funded school to reach the finals, competing against the best schools from Scotland, Cumbria and Yorkshire.
In addition, an annual trip has been arranged for the past two years to take pupils to the Wimbledon championships, and there is an annual tennis outing to King’s Priory School, in Tynemouth, which is also part of the Woodard Academies Trust. A tournament in the morning is followed by an afternoon on the beach.
As well as winning the School of the Year title, Polam Hall pupil, Briony Heljula, was also congratulated on winning individual honours at the Durham and Cleveland Tennis Awards ceremony.
