Dornoch Primary School is celebrating a landmark achievement after becoming the first school in the East Sutherland cluster to earn a sportscotland Gold School Sport Award — the highest national recognition for school sport in Scotland.
The Dornoch school, which has 169 pupils, has been awarded the Gold Award for 2025–2027. It recognises schools that place sport and physical activity at the very heart of their planning, culture and day-to-day life.
What the gold award means
Achieving Gold status shows that a school is going beyond the basics — offering pupils meaningful opportunities to be active not just during PE, but at lunchtime, after school and at weekends too.
For Dornoch Primary, those opportunities have been built through close partnership with our Active Schools team, as well as local clubs and community groups. The school has also worked hard to develop pupil leadership in sport and to create clear pathways between school activities and local club sport.
A real testament to the hard work, dedication and time given by school staff and the wider community.
Active Schools Coordinator
A milestone for East Sutherland
Dornoch Primary is the first school in the East Sutherland cluster to reach Gold — a significant milestone that reflects years of commitment from staff, pupils and the wider community.
Elissa Stevenson, our Active Schools Coordinator for the East Sutherland cluster, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Dornoch Primary School has achieved their Gold Award. It is a real testament to the hard work, dedication and time given by school staff and the wider community to ensure that sport remains a priority for pupils.
"The range of opportunities available, combined with the celebration and recognition of sporting achievement, makes a real difference. The pupils' willingness and positive attitude towards being active truly drives this forward – a big well done to them all."
Get active with Active Schools
Find out how our Active Schools team supports sport and physical activity in your community.
