A COVETED mark of sporting excellence has been awarded to two Redditch schools by Sport England.

Staff and pupils at Arrow Vale Community High School, in Matchborough West, and St Bede's RC Middle School, in Lakeside, both received the accolade.

The awards are made to schools which show commitment to developing sport to a high level in partnership with the community.

They were two of only 46 schools in England to achieve the Gold award this year.

Newly-appointed director of sport at Arrow Vale, Tracey Healey, said: "I'm delighted Sport England has recognised our achievements in providing a progressive, well balanced physical education programme and extending it to excellence in sporting provision via links with clubs and associations."

Head of PE at St Bede's, Patsy Garner, said: "We are proud of all our pupils' achievements, many of whom compete at county level in a variety of individual and team competitions."