PUPILS in Ilminster are getting stuck into a wide range of sports thanks to additional government funding.

Budding sports stars from Greenfylde School have benefited from the PE and sport premium which is designed to help primary schools improve the quality of the sports activities they offer.

About £8,000 is being put to good use at the school, getting children engaged in everything from swimming to archery.

Bob Brunt, the school’s sports development officer, said: “This money allows us to do all sorts of different things and we have had increased competition with football, gymnastics, athletics and boccia – a target ball sport originally designed as a Paralympic sport but made available for all – it’s great.

“We have introduced new courses and it has even allowed the school to buy some archery kit for those keen on that.

“We’ve got the swimming pool, which we are very lucky to have as not many other schools have one – and it is very well used – and we are encouraging more leadership skills and courses.”

The idea is to engage more pupils in sport and allow them the pathway to compete at various levels.

The policy set out by the Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport outlines how it hopes to encourage people to continue sport after they have left the education system.

It states: “Playing sport at school or in a local club is the first step to competition at the highest level, which helps improve our reputation as a sporting nation, and contributes to economic growth.

“But when people leave school they often stop playing sports, which means people can’t fulfil their sporting potential and can lead to a less healthy lifestyle.

“We want to get more people playing sport safely from a young age and help them keep playing sport throughout their life, no matter what their economic or social background.”

Greenfylde head teacher Claire Oaten said: “This is the second year of us receiving the money and it has given the children the opportunity to try so many different sports and activities.

“We run a whole host of clubs, including the usual dance and gymnastics clubs, but we also have an archery club, forest school and fencing and rugby.

“I think sometimes children can feel reluctant to do sports, so giving them this variety means there’s something that everyone is bound to enjoy.

“It has made a huge difference – you can see them enjoying what they are doing – and as a teacher that’s what you want to see.”