SPORTY youngsters at St Aelred's RC Primary School in York have been given a double lift.

Not only has the school hit the coveted Activemark standard but they have also received new kit from the Football Foundation worth £300.

The Activemark scheme recognises and rewards schools who show a commitment to providing and promoting sports opportunities and the health benefits of keeping fit.

Links have been forged with other schools and organisations with help from the Oaklands Sports Partnership and have seen children going to Next Generation for tennis lessons and trialing other fitness schemes in the wider community.

Primary link teacher Helena Fowler-Towse said: "As a school we do place PE and school sport high on our agenda for pupils' overall learning and believe that a healthy body makes a healthy brain."

She added: "St Aelred's would like to thank the Football Foundation for providing us with our new kit - the children will certainly feel like professionals."

Updated: 10:39 Wednesday, December 08, 2004