Award for Lancaster college growing environmental awareness through sport
Impact of Our Lady’s Catholic College praised at award ceremony
Lancaster’s Our Lady’s Catholic College was recognised at the School Games Impact Awards 2026 for its work promoting environmental causes and building relationships through sport.
The Manchester Road school received the Youth Sport Trust and SailGP Impact League Sport Award at Telford International Centre.
Our Lady's ran an activity which saw students from Years 5-8 work in teams to collect flags during a circuit of events.
School Games Organiser (SGO) Steven Jamieson compared the event to TV show The Crystal Maze and explained that climate change education was at the heart of the project.
Steven said: “We talked about climate change from the start of the project and as we moved through the activities, the games were themed about the flora, fauna and ecology of our region.
“It was all based around what the world might be like if there was an environmental disaster and the importance of our planet.
“Some of the activities included looking for animals and plants in our environment. It was quite inspirational to see the impact the project has had.”
Colleague Dan Morris, SGO at South Lakes Federation, added: “The activities were learning experiences outdoors, in the environment, and I wanted to give children some hands-on experiences to teach the about current issues related to the climate crisis.
“They know they’re affected by climate change on a global and local scale, and the activities were also designed to help children who were struggling with the transition into secondary school.
“By giving pupils a taste of outdoor adventure, they have the opportunity to work together and learn communication skills.”
The awards, which concluded with a keynote speech from former Team England basketball player Daniel Edozie, honoured educational professionals who have promoted mental and physical wellbeing while tackling inequalities through sport and physical exercise.
Clare Warburton, who leads the School Games Mark at the Youth Sport Trust, praised the work of educational professionals outside the classroom.
“Each time a young person is active, they are moving their minds and building relationships,” she said.
“We’ve got some tremendous School Games Organisers and Active Partnerships that are absolutely wonderful, and it has been great to celebrate with everyone.”
For more information please visit https://www.yourschoolgames.com/taking-part/school-games-mark/
Article by Joseph Terry for Sportsbeat www.sportsbeat.co.uk