A Manchester secondary school has been acknowledged for their community work and wellbeing programme which puts physical education at the fore.

Wright Robinson College in Gorton was highly commended in the Outstanding Contribution to the Community award category at the Youth Sport Trust 2024 Conference Awards, sponsored by Sports Directory and The LEGO Group.

The award, sponsored by Class for Kids, paid attention to a setting which has harnessed the power sport to develop interventions which bring people and communities together to build back healthier, happier, and more resilient young people.

The Youth Sport Trust is the UK’s leading children’s charity improving every young person’s education and development through sport.

Family liaison officer Melanie Howarth said: “It’s a really nice feeling to come in and celebrate the work that we do in school.

“Getting young people active has always been important to us, we were one of the first sports colleges in the country in 1997 and it’s always been at the heart of our school.

“PE and sport lead the way, with this award we’re really proud of how we’ve evolved and moved into the community.

“You see success in a lot of different ways at the Youth Sport Trust Conference.”

Reigning heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson was also in attendance to recognise those who have gone above and beyond from across the country.

The 31-year-old also sat down for a keynote speaker session and shared advice and anecdotes from her athlete career.

She said: “It’s been a really great evening and event.

“Sport is what I do and how I’ve been brought up through youth development and all the competitions that I did through this organisation as a kid.

“It’s nice to be here and giving back and it’s great to hear so many inspiring stories.

“I don’t know who I am without sport and that came from PE lessons doing high jump when I was younger.

“From that young age, I found an identity through it where I was known for being good at something.”

More than 120 nominations were received from across the seven categories, and judging panels of experts reviewed the shortlisted entries to decide the finalists.

Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver added: “There have been so many incredibly worthy nominees for the various awards.

“I’m so excited about all the innovation and tremendous practice that is going on across the country to build brighter futures for young people through the power of sport.”

The Youth Sport Trust Annual Conference Awards celebrate schools, settings, trusts, and individuals who, working alongside Youth Sport Trust, have made a real and impactful change to the lives of young people. Find out how the Youth Sport Trust is building brighter futures for children through sport and play. https://www.youthsporttrust.org/