YOUNG athletes made memories, forged friendships and set records as an educational trust brought students from around the region together for a day of sport and community.
Spark Education Trust hosted an inaugural games allowing Year 9 and 11 boys and girls to pit their skills on track and field.
Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, played host for the U13 and U15 competitions involving the best sports stars from Conyers School and Egglescliffe School, Yarm, and Huntcliff School, Saltburn.
On the track athletes took part in races ranging from 1500m to 100m sprints, ending with boys, girls and mixed relays.
Field events saw students vie for honours in disciplines including javelin, shot put, discus, long jump and high jump, with all placings counting towards overall scores.
Laurence Jackson School proved to be victorious on home soil taking the U13s boys and girls competition, as well as the U15 girls, and coming runner up in the boys’, to take the overall games trophy.
Spark chief executive Louise Spellman said: “As an athletics enthusiast, I love a good sports day. For the trust this competition brings together young people to celebrate something really joyful in education.
“We focus on the curriculum but that also includes physical and mental wellbeing and to do that in an atmosphere of friendly competition makes it part of something much bigger. The students are proud to belong to their school but also be part of the trust and it helps our staff feel part of a larger collective in the Tees Valley.”
Spark director of education Danny Yates added: “All the staff have been so excited about the first ever trust-wide sports day and to see how their students perform on the track and in the field. The competitive spirit was absolutely brilliant to see.”