A THPT primary school has been recognised by Active Surrey for its commitment to ensuring equal access to football for girls.

Eastwick Schools has been awarded a trophy celebrating its work to broaden participation and create equal opportunities in the sport. The award highlights the school’s success in increasing the number of girls taking part in fixtures, tournaments and festivals, alongside boys.

The recognition follows a significant rise in girls’ participation in competitive sport. Over the last year, 74% of Year 3 girls took part in competitions and festivals — up from 43% in 2023. Across the school, 165 pupils represented Eastwick in inter-school competitions during the last academic year.

The Active Surrey trophy builds on a strong year for sport at Eastwick. The school recently secured Platinum status in the government-backed School Games Mark scheme — an accolade achieved by just 7% of schools nationally.

Tom Dell, Principal of Eastwick Schools, said: “We are passionate about ensuring that competitive sport is open to every child. Girls’ football has grown enormously popular in recent years and it is vital that schools play their part in sustaining that momentum.

“This award recognises the hard work of our staff and the enthusiasm of our pupils. At Eastwick, we believe sport builds confidence, resilience and ambition. Equal access is not an aspiration for us — it is an expectation.”

Eastwick’s PE provision is led by a dedicated specialist PE teacher supported by experienced sports coaches. The school has focused deliberately on removing barriers to participation, ensuring that fixtures, clubs and competitions are accessible to all pupils regardless of background.

Alongside football success, Eastwick enjoyed strong performances across multiple sports this year, including cross country, athletics, cricket and netball competitions at local and county level.

The school also encourages daily physical activity through initiatives such as “Active Blasts”, whole-school skipping challenges and its flexible “Eastwick Mile”, helping to ensure every child achieves at least 60 minutes of activity each day.

Active Surrey works with schools across the county to promote inclusion and widen access to sport, particularly for groups historically underrepresented in competitive games.

Eastwick Schools are part of The Howard Partnership Trust, a values-driven multi-academy trust committed to delivering life-changing education.