PUPILS at Gillamoor Primary School were put through their paces under the critical eye of qualified gymnastics coach Dave Mulholland.

Children took part in the British Amateur Gymnastics Award scheme with its eight levels of difficulty.

All succeeded, with two pupils, Jasmine Ferdinando and Emilia Schofield, reaching the challenging gold level.

Mr Mulholland, who also runs an after school sports club, said: “It is a huge pleasure to teach these children, whose enthusiasm, commitment and manners out perform any other school I go into. The ethos of the school has rubbed off on all the children who are always willing to take part in every sport I teach them. Although, as a small school, they are at a disadvantage in competition, they all take part and have an excellent attitude to both winning and losing. They are a credit to the school.”

In addition, Year 5 pupil, Ed Stanley achieved the Gold Challenge Award run by the Amateur Swimming Association.

Swimming coach and teaching assistant at the school Sarah Morbey said: “Our weekly swimming lessons are so important for them learning this vital life skill. With us having additional qualified coaches, we are able to teach four separate groups in the swimming pool, enabling the children to develop quickly both in confidence and swimming style."