BIG improvements to the outdoor pitch at Thornbury Primary School in Bradford are scoring top marks from pupils.

The work has seen the former damaged turf be replaced by all-weather artificial turf and new goalposts put in place.

Funding for the improvements has come from a mix of fund-raising and grants from the Primary Spaces Grant of Sport England.

Julie Rayner, the school’s PE manager, said: “We now have state-of-the-art sports facilities which means we are no longer at a disadvantage with other schools. We are also in a sports partnership with Tong High School and use their gym and swimming pool.”

Thornbury Primary now boasts the best boys Futsal soccer team in Bradford which is also one of the best in West Yorkshire. The school also has one of the best girls hockey teams in the district and took a clutch of medals in the recent West Yorkshire Youth Games.

Head teacher Clare Daddy said: “We are really proud of our improved sports facilities which, along with our partnership with Tong, have helped our pupils improve their skill levels."