Rushbrook Primary Academy celebrates national success with Transformational Achievement Award

Rushbrook Primary Academy has been nationally recognised for its exceptional progress in PE, sport and physical activity after winning the Transformational Achievement Award at the 2026 Youth Sport Trust Awards. The ceremony, held at the Telford International Centre, celebrated schools across the country that use sport as a catalyst for whole‑school improvement and Rushbrook stood out as a shining example.

Rushbrook has undertaken a determined and ambitious journey to strengthen its culture, build a sense of belonging and ensure that every child has access to high‑quality physical activity. What began as a targeted effort to widen participation and elevate wellbeing has grown into a whole‑school transformation.

Significant investments in facilities have played a key role in this success. The school now benefits from a multi‑use sports pitch, a Daily Mile track, an established Forest School, and has also used a pop‑up swimming pool, expanding the range of experiences available to pupils. These developments have not only improved physical activity levels but have also enriched the school’s curriculum, strengthened pupil confidence and supported inclusion.

Rushbrook’s commitment to providing outstanding opportunities for all pupils has been reflected in its achievement of the School Games Gold Mark, recognising high-quality provision and a strong ethos of participation, teamwork and enjoyment.

Principal, Matt Carroll, described the award as a celebration of the whole school community:

“I think it’s a reward for four years of solid hard work and commitment towards PE and ensuring our children get every opportunity possible, because they deserve it. Our kids deserve this award because they’ve contributed everything.”

The school also credits the power of sport and activity in helping shape a positive culture. Staff have worked collectively to ensure that the school’s values are lived out daily, and that pupils have access to the right provision to feel included, confident and ready to learn.

Reflecting further, Matt said: “The statistics speak for themselves; to go from 157 fixed-term exclusions down to zero is a massive achievement. It’s taken a lot of hard work, but it took a lot of commitment from the whole team at the school to rebuild our culture, our visions and our values to ensure that our children are getting the right provisions so they can access and achieve, and they have.”

Bright Futures is incredibly proud of Rushbrook Primary Academy’s achievement. This award highlights not only the school’s dedication to its pupils, but also the collective impact of strong leadership, inclusive practice and a belief that sport has the power to change lives.

Rushbrook’s success is a testament to what can be achieved when a school community works together with purpose and ambition.