TWO Helensburgh schools have earned the praise of the town’s MSP after receiving School Sport Awards from sportscotland.

Hermitage Academy was given a silver award, while Colgrain Primary School received a bronze accolade.

The sportscotland School Sport Award, which is funded by the National Lottery, encourages schools to continuously improve physical education and school sport opportunities. It puts young people at the forefront of decision making and planning of school sport while increasing opportunities for pupils to take part. The award also encourages sporting links between schools and the communities around them, providing opportunities for young people to progress.

In total, nine schools across Jackie Baillie’s constituency, which covers Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven as well as Helensburgh and Lomond, received School Sport Awards at gold, silver or bronze level.

Ms Baillie said: “I am delighted that so many schools in our community have been awarded a SportScotland School Sport Award.

“Research has shown that school sport can have a really positive impact on a young person’s life with 94 per cent of Active Schools participants reporting that they are now motivated to be active in the future and the vast majority saying that they have gained confidence and felt more included.

“I hope that the schools in Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and Helensburgh who have achieved these awards can continue to encourage active participation in sport and that more schools from our area receive an award next year.”