2022
NATIONAL WINNERS

Johnny Lee

Red Oak Primary School, Suffolk

Johnny goes above and beyond to support the children of Red Oak Primary School and the wider community to be physically active and he has played a fundamental role in the school’s sporting success.

England

Issachar Nicholls

Ravenstone Primary School, London

Issachar has multiple roles in the lives of the children at school. He is a teaching assistant and also runs a multi-sports and football coaching club called Balham Ballers.

England

Danny Hubbard

Burntisland Primary School, Fife

Danny has been using sport as a tool for engaging children in school and celebrating their achievements. Danny is the go-to person in the school for anything sport- or activity-related and has given up many lunchtimes and time after school to run a variety of clubs for the school’s 500 pupils.

Scotland

Shani Davidov

Kirknewton Primary School, near Edinburgh

Shani is an energetic, enthusiastic and inspiring teacher who always goes above and beyond her role. She builds positive relationships with pupils, recognises children who require additional support and continually encourages children to challenge themselves and give things a go.

Scotland

Angharad Evans

Aberdare Town Church Primary School, near Merthyr Tydfil

Angharad inspires the pupils by promoting exercise and healthy living. She organises after-school clubs from girls football to dance and yoga. She also developed sports ambassadors in school who promote being active among their peers.

Wales

Morgan Harris

Penyrheol Primary, near Swansea

Morgan created ‘Mr Ffit’, who combines enthusing children to take part in fun physical exercise, and to think about their mental health and healthy eating. Sessions are lively and tailored to the age of the audience.

Wales

Nula Breen

St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown

Nula is a keen runner and cyclist and does not allow her own diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis to hold her back. There are a number of ways she works to ensure the children are healthy and active, however, two outstanding projects, organised and run by Nula deserve a mention – ‘My Marathon’ and the school garden.

Northern Ireland

Emma Toner

St Teresa’s School, Belfast

Emma has worked at the school for more than 18 years. Throughout this time, she has shown a passion for promoting physical activity in the school. In 2019, she introduced The Daily Mile to the school and continued to promote this during lockdown.

Northern Ireland

2021
REGIONAL WINNERS

Gilbert Graham

Coach Manager

Stillness Junior School

Greater London

James Smith

Sports Leader

R A Butler Academy

East of England

Abby Miles

PE, Sport and Health Lead

Perry Court E-ACT Academy

South West

Ross Wagstaff

PE Teacher

All Saints C of E Academy Bedworth

West Midlands

Alexandra Trenholme

Admin Assistant

Thirsk Community Primary

Yorkshire and the Humber

Carol Bambroffe

HTLA

Moorside Primary Academy

North West

Ell Robinson

Class Teacher and Sport Lead

Archbishop Cranmer C of E Primary Academy

East Midlands

Kai Lewis

Teaching Assistant

Greenway Primary and Nursery

South East

Joe Danquah

PE Teacher

Byker Primary School

North East

2020
LONDON BOROUGH WINNERS

Bert Hoyte

PE Teacher

Barking and Dagenham
Beam County Primary School

Quote from nominator: “"Bert inspires our children in school to strive to do their best. To have a go, and that it’s ok if you don’t win. He is funny and makes the children laugh along the way. Every morning he comes in early giving children who need extra training a little push to do a little more physical activity.”
Bert has coached many children to find their inner potential and loves to hear how ex-pupils are doing. Many have come back to support our school at sports day. It’s not just a job it’s his lifestyle, supporting children to find their potential in keeping fit and healthy.”

Barking and Dagenham

Somayeh Caesar

Teaching Assistant Barnet Martin Primary School

Barnet
Martin Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Somayeh is a Teaching Assistant at Martin Primary School. She has played a huge role in sport within the school, and has started a girl’s football team on a Saturday morning.
Somayeh is such a positive, encouraging and upbeat person, and is a real credit to Martin Primary School. Children light up when they see her smiling face and she has a way of making all children feel confident and positive.”

Barnet

Andrew Pullen

Senior Leader/PE Teacher

Bexley
St Thomas Moore Catholic Primary School

Quote from nominator: “He is constantly encouraging the children to be active and enjoy sport. Andy gives up countless hours after school to organise and take children to a variety of sporting events, which the children love.

He provides training for different sport teams, and has also trained our sport council to be young leaders who are now able teach younger children different activities at lunchtime. He is a role model to the children because of his positive attitude towards learning and his ability to never tire of encouraging others. “

Bexley

Reon Thomas

PE Coordinator

Brent
Wembley Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Reon always puts the needs of the kids in his class and those around him first. Teaching them to be the best they can be and giving them opportunities that he didn’t have growing up.

Reon is a positive role model and inspiration to the community highlighting the importance of fitness and team work, and integrating it into everything we do as a school. He loves what he does and always does it with a smile on his face. Reon reminds us all to be better and that we matter!”

Brent

Josh Hunnisett

Sports Teacher

Bromley
Keston C.E. Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Josh is a very proactive teacher who has been on the Marathon Kids programme for a long time. He encourages children to run and also take part in other physical activity both inside and outside school.”

Bromley

Carmen Blanco Crespo

PE Teacher

Camden
Torriano School

Quote from nominator: “Miss Blanco is an inspiring PE Teacher that always goes above and beyond her role. She is determined to get the children to love doing any kind of sport and she is winning this challenge. She creates daily sport tasks to be completed by the school children with great enthusiasm. She is simply the best!”

Camden

Anthony Harris

Sports Coach

Croydon
Selsdon Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Mr Harris achieved a school games award this year and came second in the Croydon Primary Schools Virtual Athletics. He inspires all of the kids and makes PE fun.”

Croydon

Dereck Brown

Teaching Assistant

Ealing
Little Ealing School

Quote from nominator: “Dereck supports children and has been using sport to motivate and enrich their learning. He works with our SEND groups and has prepared and entered them into competitions and festivals. We have seen such a positive impact on the children’s outlook through his work with them.

Dereck’s interventions have improved the children’s wellbeing, and noticeably his interactions with the children he works with has led to them being more physically literate. The children can now talk about healthy habits, coping strategies and relate sport to their own class work and home life. “

Ealing

Sarah Hammond

PE Teacher

Enfield
Hazelwood Schools

Quote from nominator: “Sarah has provided stellar teaching on PE and sports at Hazelwood for many years. Her approach and style mixed with her enthusiasm is remarkable. Her pupils hang off her every word of encouragement, support and learning and it is wonderful to experience.

She is our all-rounder in every aspect. Her professional relationships across the entire workforce is the ultimate example of the school’s vision and ethos. I have experienced such positive feedback from parents and school council members, pupils regularly report her enthusiasm for extracurricular activities such a tournaments and other opportunities within the community.”

Enfield

Adebukola Adedeji

Play Leader

Greenwich
Windrush Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Since Adebukola started at Windrush she has shown outstanding skills, her passion for working with children is evident from the effort she puts into each session. She has built fantastic relationships with not only the Children but also staff and the parents, who look forward to seeing her daily.

Adebukola, always thinks outside of the box regarding activities for the children, making sure that every child has an enjoyable time at the club. We are grateful to have Adebukloa on our team at Windrush as it has made a real difference to the club and children’s experience.”

Greenwich

Freddy Katanga

Sports Teacher

Hackney
Mandeville Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Freddy works tirelessly for the children he inspires. There are many good sports teachers out there but none as caring, dedicated and determined as Freddy. Freddy has worked at Mandeville for ten years and has developed children's physical activity and health in all aspects of his work.
Freddy keeps the need to encourage healthy lifestyles central to his mission and generations of children have benefitted from his amazing enthusiasm. Freddy is hugely important member of our teaching staff at Mandeville and he really deserves recognition for the work he does above the daily expectation to improve the life chances of our children."

Hackney

Thomas Blair

Director of Sports and Fitness

Hammersmith & Fulham
Ark Swift Primary Academy

Quote from nominator: “Marathon Champion at Ark Swift school. He encourages all of the staff to get involved in activities for the young people and is an inspiration to our young people.”

Hammersmith & Fulham

Claudia Quinn

Health Mentor/ Year 1 Teacher

Haringey
Ferry Lane Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Since Claudia was deployed on lunchtime duty she has created a variety of activities for the children during the lunch hour. There is new planning for each area of physical activities and sporting games to support and encourage all children to feel included regardless of ability. This has contributed to a major and positive impact regarding the children's behaviour during lunchtimes and play times.
Being the Health Mentor has also enabled Claudia to understand the emotional and psychological needs and well-being of the children. She not only helps with their physical developments but their emotional well-being, confidence and behavioural dilemmas as well. Claudia has been an asset to the school and pleasure to work with."

Haringey

Debbie Nathan

Teaching Assistant

Harrow
North London Collegiate School

Quote from nominator:“Mrs Nathan has been my daughter’s favourite teacher for years. Her day job isn’t about PE but after school she has created a special HIIT training class that the girls absolutely love. It gets everybody active for 30minutes every Monday evening and I know for certain people only take that class because she runs it.

She’s hugely encouraging and shares stories about her Marathon training that she is doing in her spare time to show the girls anything is possible. She’s a huge inspiration to the girls in NLCS and always makes time for them, listening to them and playing with them - even in the playground. She makes sure no-one is left behind.”

Harrow

Wendy Gibbons

Teaching Assistant

Havering
Ardleigh Green Junior School

Quote from nominator:“Wendy goes above and beyond her day job. Wendy runs School's Athletics Team and she helped her Athletics team to qualify for the London Youth Games. Only a truly great coach can bring their team that far!”

Havering

Sharon O’Donoghue

PE Lead

Hillingdon
Ryefield Primary School

Quote from nominator:“Sharon has been at Ryefield for 2 years and in that time the participation levels of the pupils have increased hugely. She works hard to attend all of the competitions that are available to the school and brings pupils that don't usually get the opportunity to take part in such activities.

Her enthusiasm and tireless efforts to get pupils involved in sport at all levels has made her a positive role model for the pupils and staff. I have seen how she has inspired pupils first hand; seeing pupils come bounding up to her wanting to tell her all about their experiences when they have taken part in sport.”

Hillingdon

Nicole Goddard

Teaching Assistant

Hounslow
Spring Grove Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Miss Goddard strives to make physical activity an everyday occurrence. She wants to make sure everybody is healthy and has a great sense of humour. She also makes sure games are fun and possible for everyone to play.

When it looked like lockdown was going to happen she organised for me and two friends to make videos of dancing and fun games that helped keep students active. These videos have made it as far as India and Canada. Mis Goddard is really inspiring children to get active all over the world!”

Hounslow

Cheka Tyler

Assistant Headteacher

Islington
Newington Green Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Cheska understands how important family and community are to creating lifetime habits of movement and physical activity. She created a week-long launch that involved parents, teachers, school staff and community figures (including the Arsenal Gunnersaurus), alongside the pupils to celebrate The Daily Mile. She did it in a way that engaged and influenced so many different people within the school community, while at the same time making every individual feel valued. This is why she’s my Active School Hero.”

Islington

Analece Feeney

Head of Junior PE and Games

Kensington and Chelsea
Francis Holland School

Quote from nominator: “Analece is a Marathon Kids Champion at the school.”

Kensington and Chelsea

Sarah Robinson

Year 5 Teacher

Kingston
Coombe Hill Juniors

Quote from nominator: “Sarah has been running a year 5 & 6 football squad for boys and girls in the school. Over the past year, children in the squad represented the school against others in a range of friendlies, tournaments and cup competitions. The squad have been training after school on a weekly basis and she continues to inspire our kids to be active in a multitude of ways.”

Kingston

Doug Cranston

Health/PE Leader

Lambeth
Rosendale Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Doug is the Marathon Kids Champion at the school”

Lambeth

Linda Slatery

Enrichment Co-Ordinator

Lewisham
Holy Cross Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Lewisham Council's Road Safety Team work with many primary schools in the borough, but Linda ensures that Holy Cross Primary School children really get the full benefit of all the programmes that we offer. Linda is all about engagement and enthusiasm and this is why we are glad to work with this school. The children get involved with Bikeability and scooter training and currently hold gold status in TfL's STARS accreditation programme which is a real tribute to Linda and all her hard work with the pupils at the school.”

Lewisham

Ceira Joyce

Deputy Site Manger

Merton
Hollymount Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Ceira was a new staff member for the school this last year, and has had an immediate impact on the structured lunchtime activities. Being a great role model for the children and ensuring that all the children have access to structured lunchtime activities.”

Merton

Paul Belcher

PE Director

Newham
Curwen Primary School

Quote from nominator: “"Paul has worked within Sports Development / School Sports for 15 years. As P.E subject leader at Curwen Primary School he led a P.E Team that achieved the YST Gold Quality Mark and recently became one of just 104 schools nationwide to achieve the School Games Platinum Mark.
Paul was instrumental in developing a broad and varied curriculum at Curwen Primary School which included offering swimming to the whole school via the ‘Make a Splash’ pop up pool programme, working with NGB’s including NFL, Rugby League, Chance 2 Shine Cricket, The FA and piloted initiatives such as SchoolsRun and UK Wallball. He inspires me as well has many others, he has turned me into a fully confident instructor delivering outstanding PE lessons consistently."

Newham

Muhamet Hallaj

Teacher

Redbridge
Chadwell Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Muhamet is very professional in everything he does. All the children look up to him as a role model! He is an icon to the school and very popular within the community.
Being the sports coordinator, he has changed the way the school look at sport in such a positive way. He inspires the children mentally and physically through playing sport, and has adapted his own sporting experience to the children to make them better individual players.”

Redbridge

Joshua Penberthy

PE Teacher

Richmond
Meadlands Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Mr Penberthy is exceptional. He has transformed sport in a small, single form entry primary school, where resources are stretched and pupil numbers low. He brought in different sports coaches to stimulate the kids in clubs and lessons, allowing each child to achieve their best in a sport they can enjoy.

His mission is for every child to enjoy playing sport, whatever their skill level, in whichever sport they like. Everyone gets a turn, whatever their ability, no matter how important the match, or how close to winning they are. Victory for him is in the smiles on the faces of the kids on the bus back to school, and the prize is to introduce these kids to a life-long love of playing sport.”

Richmond

Paul Nkume

Learning Support Mentor

Southwark
Camelot Primary School

Quote from nominator: “I've worked alongside Paul for numerous years and can confidently say he does everything with the sole purpose of helping and aiding the children in every possible way.
He always joins in with the PE session that I run, and the kids love it! He always goes the extra mile, for example through holding his own after school club every day, as well as coming on Saturdays to support the School football team. Paul is a local so understands the children's emotions on a day to day basis and I feel the kids look up to and respect him for that."

Southwark

Sue Ewing

PE Lead/Teaching Assistant

Sutton
All Saints Carshalton CE Primary School

Quote from nominator:“Sue has been at All Saints Carshalton for 20+ plus years delivering high quality PE and extracurricular for all pupils. She does way over her contracted hours just so her pupils can get to and take part in all the sporting competitions and fixtures. Whether that’s in her own time to hold practices before competitions or reffing the school football match because the referee hasn’t turned up!
She’s a real inspiration not only to all her pupils but myself (her son) who is now following in her footsteps to be a PE teacher!"

Sutton

Shehan Wijayaratne

PE Teacher

Tower Hamlets
Cubitt Town Infant School

Quote from nominator: “Cubitt Town Infant School is one of the original Marathon Kids schools. Shehan runs the programme here with great success.”

Tower Hamlets

Maria Papazoglou

PE Teacher

Waltham Forest
Whitefield Academy Trust

Quote from nominator: “Ms Papazoglou is a PE teacher in a Special needs school in Waltham Forest. She develops lesson plans for students and adapts rules to suit the needs of disabled students.
The adaptations allow the children to slowly develop skills and confidence in sports that previously may not have been possible for them to play. Her aim is to provide the greatest possible experience for all students and allow them to enjoy and benefit from PE lessons. Her moto is ‘focused on what students can do, and not what they cannot.’
Maria is a shining example of the extra mile teachers are willing to go to, to provide opportunities for students of all abilities to play and flourish in an active or sporting environment."

Waltham Forest

Clair Webb

PE Teacher

Wandsworth
Holy Ghost Catholic Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Clair is one of our most enthusiastic Marathon Kids Champions and embraces our programme regularly purchasing rewards for her children after initially being on the Nike Grant we offered. She has set up a 6-year programme to follow the children's progress in through their time at the school.”

Wandsworth

Ross Mackenzie

Class Teacher

Westminster
Ark Atwood Primary Academy

Quote from nominator: “Ross has championed the active side within Atwood, signing up and taking charge of the Daily Mile, Westminster Mile and organising all our sports day activities.
Ross started as a Teaching Assistant and is now a Class Teacher, still taking on the PE curriculum. Children look up to Ross and are always keen to join clubs in order to be more active. Ross is a positive role model for pupils, staff and parents here at Atwood."

Westminster

2020
Birmingham Winners

Matt Jones

PE Coach

Edgbaston
Welsh House Farm Community School

Quote from nominator: "Matt is an incredible PE leader. Working in a low-income area Coach Jones is passionate about the wider impact that quality PE and sport can have on his pupil’s lives. He plans and delivers an inspiring and varied PE curriculum across the school, and the pupil voice across the school for PE is positive.
Matt spends a great deal of his free time on his professional development, aiming to keep his knowledge of best practice of PE and extracurricular sport up to date. Coach Jones is dedicated to supporting the holistic development of the children and has recently attended a course for supporting young people’s mental health. If more UK schools had a Coach Jones I really feel that Britain’s children would be healthier, happier and more inspired to lead an active life."

Edgbaston

Gemma Spiers

Pastoral Manager

Erdington
Paget Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Miss Spiers is a vital asset to our school, she uses her position as pastoral manger to lead an amazing team. Health and fitness is a massive topic at our school and has seen our children engage in sports they otherwise wouldn't.

She is inclusive, and always involves the whole school, the families and even friends of Paget. Our school is involved in more sport than ever before and our kids are so much happier. During this pandemic she hasn't left us behind, she has kept us engaged via social media with daily exercise challenges and sporting challenges again listening to our children getting involved in topics they enjoy such as TikTok but put her sport and fitness spin on it.”

Erdington

Rochelle Jeffery

Assistant Head Teacher

Hall Green
Nelson Mandela Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Rochelle Jeffery inspires children to be active through example, enthusiasm and commitment: She rarely stands still!
Our children have challenging lives due to the impact and stresses of poverty. Rochelle strives for children to see physical activity as a normal part of everyday life; to recognise and experience its benefits.”

Hall Green

Charlene Bull

PE Leader

Hodge Hill
Leigh Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Charlene has dedicated over twenty years of her life to promoting sport, physical activity and fitness to children and adults. Her intent in primary school is to ensure that every Year 6 child leaves knowing what they are physically good at, so that they take this in to secondary school and even further into adulthood.
She has implemented a huge variety of inclusive traditional and non-traditional sport, and games from around the world to help children find their ‘love for sport’. This includes offering activities for children with SEND, those who have had adverse childhood experiences and interventions for disengaged pupils.”

Hodge Hill

Sadam Koumi

Mentor and lunchtime Supervisor

Ladywood
Oasis Academy Foundry

Quote from nominator: “Sadam is an inspiration to staff and children alike. He joined us as a lunchtime supervisor who was passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of our children. He has consistently shown pupils the care, nurture and support to help them achieve. It soon became clear that we needed more of Mr K in school and as such he took on the role of Mentor. Sadam uses sport as a way of engaging children and helping them to overcome barriers

Sadam is a caring, unassuming gentleman, and he gives his time willingly to inspire our pupils, spot their sporting talents and use sport and activity as a way of developing not only healthy bodies but healthy minds. He is certainly an Active School Hero.”

Ladywood

Josh Crofts

Sports Coach

Northfield
Rednal Hill Junior School

Quote from nominator: “Josh runs a range of before and after school clubs as well as coaching the school football team to success this season. Over the course of this academic year Josh has been particularly fantastic with some of our more vulnerable children.

Bringing back a passion for sport and giving them the belief that they can turn their lives around and achieve success. Nothing is too much trouble, a mantra he has further demonstrated during the current crisis. Josh has been in everyday working with vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers to maintain their active lifestyle and support their wellbeing.”

Northfield

Jane Best

Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Perry Barr
Dorrington Academy

Quote from nominator: “Jane works with children who have a variety of personal, physical, behavioural and social needs. Ten years ago, she started a Physical Activity Club during lunch times to support social interaction. This has developed over the years into daily physical activity club where children from Year 4-6 are trained as young play leaders and then deliver the club and other events throughout the school year.
Mrs Best uses physical activity to help motivate children to achieve their personal best in a variety of ways and make them feel valued.”

Perry Barr

Simon Smith

Site Supervisor

Selly Oak
Colmore Junior School

Quote from nominator: “Simon has been site supervisor at Colmore Junior School for over twenty years, but during the past ten years he has become so much more. Having always been a keen football player, Simon started sharing this passion at school, setting up a lunchtime football club.

For the last 10 years there has not been a day that goes by when Simon isn’t out there. Girls and boys alike count the minutes till they can dash out to be the first in the line for a game. Lunchtime incidents have practically disappeared, the children’s activity levels have soared – evidenced by the red faces at the end of lunch – and our school football team has gone from strength to strength.”

Selly Oak

Richard Summers

Sports Coach

Sutton Coldfield
Wylde Green Primary School

Quote from nominator:“Every day Richard inspires children to become active; encouraging them to participate in physical activity, and creating an environment where children enjoy physical activity and physical education. He has also raised the profile of physical education and school sport teams, showing remarkable success in sporting competitions since his starting at our school.

Our 'Active School Hero' is Mr Summers and the respect and passion he has for the children he teaches is mirrored by them. He has led Wylde Green Primary School to the top of school

Sutton Coldfield

Matt Perks

Sports Coach

Yardley
Oasis Blakenhale Junior
Quote from nominator: “Mr Perks, is a huge inspiration to the school children. My son said he is really motivating!”

Yardley

2019
LONDON BOROUGH WINNERS

Carolyn Thorpe

Deputy Headteacher

Barking and Dagenham
Becontree Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Carolyn has worked at Becontree for 25 years and every year she brings something new to the table. Carolyn researched, planned and implemented a bespoke Becontree Walk. It was a 100 Mile Challenge to get our school community more active in line with the national Daily Mile initiative. “

“Carolyn wasn't happy to implement a simple daily mile experience for children; instead she has planned a range of 15 minutes exercise classes that take place before school, during lunchtimes, in the local park and in the school hall.”

Barking and Dagenham

John King

Site Manager

Barnet
Coppetts Wood Primary School

Quote from nominator: “John started a girls’ football competition for primary schools in Barnet, as a tribute to him, there is now the John King Trophy for this tournament which is the subject of fierce competition every year.”

“John gives up an enormous amount of his own time to take children to sporting competitions, from football, netball to cross country. Without his dedication, the children would not have these opportunities.”

Barnet

Vicky Bull

PE Specialist Teacher

Bexley
St Fidelis Catholic Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Vicky's impact at our school extends beyond the PE curriculum into playtimes and lunchtimes. She leads a team of fantastic pupil Sports Leaders and committed Midday Supervisors, in providing activities beyond lesson time that is sociable, fun and energetic. “

“Every playtime Vicky provides children with opportunities to play competitive sports independently, to practice specific sporting skills, to dance to the music they most love at the moment or to talk to trusted adults about their successes or worries.”

Bexley

Konstantina Giachnaki

Sports Coach and PE Specialist

Brent
Kilburn Grange School

Quote from nominator: “In Konstantina’s life she has had lots of people telling her that 'she can't' and through sport she has learnt that 'she can'. Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like it to win and lose, it teaches you about life. This is the message she aims to pass on to children.”

“Coach K is fantastic with the children, her lessons are fun, energetic, informative and engaging. The children adore Coach K, they look forward to their P.E lessons through-out the week”

Brent

Jo Brash

PE Teacher

Bromley
Tubbenden Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Jo uses her own time to put on clubs and competitions and is a true a role model for all young children who perhaps feel like sports isn’t for them. She sees the potential in all children and gets them to see it too.”

“She gives up her free time providing a running club before school and dance clubs and yoga at lunchtimes. She has also identified and encouraged other teachers to share their sporting talent with football and rugby clubs, including one for girls.”

Bromley

David Benham

Year 1 Teacher

Camden
Christopher Hatton Primary School

Quote from nominator: “As well as developing sports skills, David places an emphasis on the wider benefits of PE and sport, such as teamwork and social skills, positive attitudes towards health and fitness, and the opportunity to enjoy and achieve in a variety of ways.”

Camden

Jack Pogson

PE and Sports Coach

City of London
Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Jack is passionate about ensuring children at Sir John Cass Primary School gain great enjoyment from physical activity through PE, sporting competitions or just on the playground at break.”

“He believes that PE is a very important part of the curriculum and encourages physical activity and a love of the outdoors through having outdoor play every day. Also, in order to ensure his pupils are involved in structured play at lunchtimes, he has trained play leaders who arrange a variety of sporting activities during lunch.”

City of London

Mary Mangan

PE Leader

Croydon
The Federation of St Joseph’s Catholic Junior, Infant and Nursery Schools

Quote from nominator: “Mary works extremely hard to introduce the children to lots of different sports and fitness disciplines and ensures they are given opportunities to represent the school.”

“She nurtures competition, but encourages and ensures participation at all levels. She truly believes there is a sport for everyone. She’s unique, fun, passionate and the kids love her. Mary is enthusiastic and inspiring to all of our pupils.”

Croydon

Nicolas Jeffs

Year 6 Teacher

Ealing
Berrymede Junior School

Quote from nominator: “Nick has focused on getting girls involved in the sport of cricket. This has led to hundreds of girls learning, participating and competing in the sport.”

“Nick has given up his time to run many clubs before, during and after school each week. This has been a huge benefit for the school and his enthusiasm has not only inspired the children but the staff to participate in clubs as well.”

Ealing

Alex Flett

PE Teacher

Enfield
The Raglan Schools

Quote from nominator: “Alex has developed inter-house competition opportunities across several sports, fostering a passion to get children active and involved. In 2016 - 86 of our pupils were involved in representing their school, compared to 185 in 2019.”

“Alex now has his “Dream Job,” as he would describe it, where he can put his whole focus into supporting young people to develop a love of physical activity as sport. Getting more pupils engaged in active sport has been Alex’s mantra since arriving at Raglan and this year saw the school receiving the Platinum Games Award in recognition of excellent and consistent PE and Sport at Raglan.”

Enfield

Laura Ings

PE Coordinator

Greenwich
Plumcroft Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Laura has brought physical education to the forefront of the school's agenda so it sits alongside numeracy and literacy. Laura ensured our school was the first in Royal Greenwich to introduce the Daily Mile and her enthusiasm has led to teachers becoming joggers and runners entering events around London up to half marathon level.”

“Laura is in demand from other schools in Greenwich to share her outstanding practice across a whole range of physical education experiences. Teachers come to the school to learn from and be inspired by her.”

Greenwich

Innogen Fryer

Year 1 Teacher

Hackney
Holmleigh Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Innogen is enthusiastic about making sure all children are active and are supported to be the healthiest they can be, inside the classroom and outside, during playtimes, or before and after school. “

“She was given the role as the School Travel Plan Champion for an accreditation scheme called Stars run by TFL in January 2018, since then she has done an incredible amount of work to get all of our pupils more active and I am proud to say Holmleigh has already reached a Gold Member status.”

Hackney

Robert Hoskins

Year 6 Teacher

Hammersmith & Fulham
Wormholt Park Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Rob is an outstanding and inspirational PE Leader who works tirelessly to provide both the highest quality P.E. and extracurricular opportunities for our children as well as leading by example. He has worked with Q.P.R, the London Sports Trust and local secondary schools who provide use of their sports facilities to extend children's opportunities to try alternative sports such as trampolining.”

“Rob has organised a wide range of extra-curricular activities ranging from football to multi-sports. He has also organised the mentoring programme run by QPR to support boys likely to disengage with education, which has proved highly successful.”

Hammersmith & Fulham

Pelagia Eftheriades

Teaching Assistant

Haringey
Ferry Lane Primary School

Quote from nominator: “From her desire to create a cycling community, Pelagia was awarded TfL funding to buy adults and children’s bicycles and helmets plus a new secure cycle store. Many children have been able to access the Bikeability courses. She runs coffee mornings for the parents bringing the diverse communities together, this includes targeted interventions such as parents and staff cycle training. She coordinated several training sessions with the mums, who have surprised their families by cycling.”

“She has inspired the community to become more active and choose a healthier lifestyle. The staff have regular cycling sessions with Pelagia leading the group. This helps reduce their stress and increase their self-esteem.”

Haringey

Ruth Kennedy

Teaching Assistant

Harrow
Camrose Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Ruth has organised sporting personalities to visit the school and developed links with local sporting clubs who regularly attend our school to coach pupils; these include Watford and Barnet FC. Since taking a lead in PE our pupils regularly attend borough sporting fixtures and this number of events has not only tripled - to more than 23 sporting fixtures a year, but now includes football, gymnastics, cross country and athletics.”

Harrow

Viv Allaway

PE Specialist

Havering
Newtons Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Thanks to Viv the children in our school love PE and it's a passion they take forward long after they leave the school in year 6. She often gives up her own time (she works at school 2 days a week) to take children to sporting events that fall on days she doesn't work.”

“She is a true inspiration, she mentors the staff at our school to ensure that PE is well taught and well-loved throughout our school and that she leaves a legacy at Newtons once she retires. Viv set up our school’s ballroom dance squad, the children love it and recently they performed at the mayors show at the Queens theatre Hornchurch. Viv had been teaching PE for over 40 years, she lives and breathes sport.”

Havering

Lorraine Zymanczyk

PE Teacher

Hillingdon
St Bernadette Catholic Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Lorraine runs various themed whole school days that engages the school and staff to get pupils active. She also makes sure that it is not just the "sporty pupils" that get to take part in sporting opportunities outside of school”

“Through the work that Lorraine has done to set up Create Play in the play areas in the playground the school is now highly active during their breaks and lunchtimes. Her enthusiasm for getting pupils' active and changing their lives is infectious. She also has a team of SMSA's and student leaders that oversee the active playgrounds and equipment.”

Hillingdon

Jared Bell

PE Specialist

Hounslow
St Michael & St Martin Primary Catholic School

Quote from nominator: “Jared is the school's TfL STARS Programme Lead and his work to promote active travel has ensured that his school has remained STARS accredited for 8 years. Jared's work also enabled his school to come 1st place in the last Beat the Street Competition (borough-wide walking competition).”

“Jared's British/New Zealand background and a love of sport inspired him to author the children's book 'Piri's Big All Black Dream', to motivate children to take part in sport and to demonstrate that no dream is too big!”

Hounslow

Amardeep Panesar

Headteacher

Islington
Copenhagen Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Amardeep believes in leading by example, and as a result of this "Can Do" attitude both teachers and pupils alike are actively involved in sport at school and outside of school. Amardeep has been a qualified coach from the age of 18, and has used her experience as a coach to encourage and introduce a wide range of sports at all the schools she has worked at, from after school clubs, part of the PE curriculum, activities for staff and parents and the wider school community.”

“As the head teacher now her passion for sport has not diminished she has implemented a programme of after school clubs delivered by teachers, and Community clubs, providing pupils with the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities.”

Islington

Lynn Plumbley

Learning Mentor

Kensington and Chelsea
Oxford Gardens Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Lynn is one of the most enthusiastic and positive people you could every meet! She's always happy to help, adores the children and has bags of energy. She's infectious with her enthusiasm for anything active!”

“Whilst working with the school to implement a community tennis link, Lynn was fully supportive and encouraged plenty of children to attend after school classes. She was also instrumental as a pillar of support for children whose families went through the trauma of the Grenfell Tower fire.”

Kensington and Chelsea

Tony Wood

Head of Games

Kingston
Westbury House School

Quote from nominator: “Mr Tony Wood is a true inspiration to the children of Westbury House School and is a pillar of positivity within the community. As Westbury House is a small independent school, he asks the children to be the best they can be on the field and off.”

“Mr Wood is extremely creative and makes the most of our limited space to create the most exciting games for the children to participate in, the children always rave about how much fun they have.”

Kingston

Tom Yearly

Early Years Teaching Assistant

Lambeth
Ashmole Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Mr Yearly is a real hero he recognises that although it may be difficult or in some cases impossible to access the academic mind of a special needs child, sometimes their abundance of energy means they could be the next Usain Bolt or Ronaldo they just need they opportunity to show it and a hero to recognise it!”

Lambeth

Vicky Miller

Learning Mentor

Lewisham
Haseltine Primary School

Quote from nominator: “I know Vicky through working on TfL's STARS accreditation programme and Haseltine School currently hold gold status. The gold status is down to the hard work of the children of course, but none of this would be possible without the leadership of Vicky to keep them on course and help them reach the targets required.”

“Haseltine School is also involved in the Mayor of London's school air quality audit programme which is concerned with poor air quality around London’s schools. Vicky is dedicated to the children and getting them involved in activities that help to raise awareness of serious issues affecting the health of pupils.”

Lewisham

Paul Archer

Sports Coach

Newham
New City Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Paul has mastered the art of adapting PE to make it inclusive. He is passionate about addressing children’s sensory and physical needs and the importance of PE for their overall development. Paul has been a proper hero to so many children over the years. He has helped children that little bit extra to learn different sports over the past 15 years.”

“He has been involved with teaching and also helps teach young teachers in PE. As well as being involved in teaching children with disabilities before during and after school. The last 18 months, I have worked alongside Paul at New City and the work he does to help enrich the PE curriculum for the pupils is incredible. He teaches sports like fencing, salsa dancing, cycling, boxing and various disability games which I have never seen taught in any other school I have worked in.”

Newham

Kaye Cornwall

HLTA and PE Teacher

Redbridge
Redbridge Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Kaye has made a very valuable contribution to raising the profile of PE and sports across the school. Her aim is for all of the children to have represented the school in a sporting event during their time at Redbridge Primary School.”

“As well as leading PE, Kaye is passionate about all children leading an active life. She organises Bikeability training for the children right from Reception to Year 6 to ensure that children leave Primary School able to ride a bike safely. As part of this, she organises ride a bike/scooter to school weeks to encourage the children to be more active. Kaye has dedicated 20 years of her life to Redbridge Primary School and has always maintained the same aim. She is loved by the children and adults alike and her passion and drive is incredible.”

Redbridge

George Pannell

Sports Coach

Merton
Liberty Primary School

Quote from nominator: “George works tirelessly to encourage kids (and us parents!) to be active. 7 days a week he is dedicated to building pupils' confidence through putting on extra activities to encourage wider participation. George is a very inspirational person, coach and a PE teacher. Kids and young athletes are always at the heart of his lessons or his training sessions. Children of all ages absolutely adore coach George and want to be as active as he is.”

“George's lessons are always fun but at the same time well-structured and meaningful. George runs mums and dads football sessions (which I am a part of), sports half term camps, after school clubs and school teams at Liberty Primary School. George is such a fantastic role model for children in the local community - making sports fun and accessible for all abilities.”

Merton

Lizzie Knowles

Teaching Assistant

Richmond
St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Lizzie is passionate about integrating sporting opportunity into the school day. She coordinates and does the admin for after school sports clubs ensuring there is something for everyone.”

“During school whenever possible, you’ll find Mrs Knowles on the Astroturf joining in PE lessons, being a role model to girls, proving to them that they can be as good as, if not better than the boys. Week in week out, she splits her time between supporting year 6 in class and helping the small PE department deliver high a quality sports programme.”

Richmond

Imran Ali

Teaching Assistant

Southwark
Camelot Primary School

Quote from nominator: “As well as supporting children in school, he works tirelessly at the weekends at fixtures and has encouraged myself and other staff members to support our girls and boys football teams by attending their matches, which has boosted moral in our teams and with the teachers!”

“He encourages girls and boys equally and builds children's confidence with his kind and supportive manner. Every morning, he stands outside my classroom and shakes each child's hand and says good morning. He takes a genuine interest in their learning and their holistic development as people, and is willing to do anything to support myself and them in this respect.”

Southwark

Matthew Warner

PE and Sports Lead

Sutton
Cheam Common Junior Academy

Quote from nominator: “Matt does all he can to encourage our pupils to take part in sport. Matt is an incredibly dedicated PE Co-ordinator who inspires a huge number of children on a daily basis. He is in school by 7.30am and running a sports club by 7.45am, 5 days a week. He runs a lunchtime sports club 5 days a week too, as well as two after school clubs every day. That’s twenty clubs a week, providing 600 places for children at our school to get active, be healthy and love sport.”

“Matt inspires children across the school regardless of ability and believes in sport being a driver to unlock each child’s potential. He teaches all children across the school for P.E. and has introduced over 40 clubs run by himself and other staff each term.”

Sutton

Amy Clough

PE & Healthy School Subject Leader

Tower Hamlets
St. Mary & St. Michael Catholic Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Amy is a PE teacher whose passion for sport is infectious to all the children that she teaches. Amy involves herself with the children and always makes them feel important.”

“Most importantly she is the first to join in games with them and lead dancing and fun activities. Amy is just such a brilliant PE teacher she does everything for her school. She is passionate funny and always demonstrates enthusiasm to each and every one of the kids and staff. She is well and truly a positive role model.”

Tower Hamlets

Assunta De Biase

Head of PE

Waltham Forest
Woodside Primary Academy

Quote from nominator: “Ms De Biase has developed and championed a 15-minute exercise session for the whole school (approx 1000 pupils) every morning before school. All the kids get moving together and have a great time, led by the sports staff, but also supported by their class teachers. This reinforces the importance of everyone being involved in healthy living choices. This great initiative is set to pumping dance music which makes all the kids happy and excited to be there.”

“Assunta has inspired all the Woodside pupils to exercise daily. Her and her team have put in place an entire healthy living programme across the school. Parents, staff and pupils are encouraged to move more and learn more about healthy eating.”

Waltham Forest

Paul Madden

PE Teacher

Wandsworth
Broadwater Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Paul is an inspirational and innovative PE Teacher and co-ordinator at Broadwater, which is an inner-city school. He runs an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities, from traditional sports to some more unconventional activities. This includes Family Tennis Club which provides parents and other family members the opportunity to learn with their child, he does this alongside a number of activities which are offered to groups of children to develop social skills and fitness.”

“To improve the health and well-being of the children at the school he has set up and now runs 14 sports clubs per week. Members of staff are eager to support Paul in the participation of competitions around the Borough of Wandsworth and they will happily volunteer to accompany him on these worthwhile events.”

Wandsworth

Michael Brown

PE Co-ordinator

Westminster
St Saviours C of E Primary School

Quote from nominator: “Michael Brown is enthusiasm itself. He is a brilliant role model for the children and staff at St. Saviour's School and encourages us all at every opportunity to take part in physical activity. He introduced the Daily Mile to St. Saviour's and positively demonstrates how it is possible to gain extra fitness.”

“Michael works with children from 3-11 and they all respond well to his wide and varied lesson programme. They adore him. He works closely with all staff to provide quality CPD and attends numerous courses and network meetings to further improve his own practise. He attends all staff meetings and is an integral part of our teaching team.”

Westminster