Durham’s Lanchester EP Primary School was named the Primary School of the Year at this year’s Chance to Shine Awards.
The school fought off over 5,000 other primary schools that have received the Chance to Shine programme during the last academic year to claim the award and make it a second consecutive year in which Durham Cricket have won a category in the annual event.
Lanchester EP was recognised for its hard work supporting grassroots cricket and PE Coach and Learning Support Lewis Graham and Year 2 Teacher David Mordue along with pupils Matthew and Fraser received their award from former England cricketer Matt Prior at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The school worked closely with Durham Cricket’s Develpoment Officer Phil Mellons and Lanchester Cricket Club to provide opportunities for children inspired by the sport in their Chance to Shine sessions, to continue playing outside of school.
The school programme, delivered by Durham Cricket, inspired 54 children to sign up to Lanchester Cricket Club’s All Stars Cricket sessions, accounting for 90% of the overall attendance to ECB’s entry-level programme in the club.
The judging panel noted that Lanchester EP had been on a fantastic journey from having very little cricket available to their KS1 pupils to the whole school being engaged with the sport. The judges also commended the commitment of the teachers to support their pupils to play, learn and develop through cricket. They have taken advantage of opportunities to develop their own coaching skills and are able to deliver high quality sessions when the Chance to Shine coaches are no longer in attendance.
Lanchester’s achievement makes it two wins in a row for Durham Cricket in the Chance to Shine Annual Awards, after last year Durham claimed County Board of the Year.
The Chance to Shine Awards, supported by NatWest, celebrate clubs, individuals and schools who help to spread the power of cricket and make the charity such a success.
After receiving the award Year 2 teacher David Mordue said “It’s amazing to win this award, we didn’t expect it. I think cricket will grow even more now off the back of this, it’s already taken over as our sport, I think we’re a cricket school now!”
Retired England wicket-keeper Matt Prior, who attended the event said “Lanchester EP is an amazing example of what the power of cricket can do for children and young people and the school should be incredibly proud of their accolade.”
Laura Cordingley, Chief Executive at Chance to Shine, added, “On behalf of Chance to Shine, I’d like to congratulate Lanchester EP Primary School for their incredible commitment to spreading the power of cricket. They are a shining example of the impact that cricket can have on children and young people across the country and we are so proud to be able to celebrate their achievement.”