ALMOST every single pupil in Kilmacolm Primary has signed up to take part in sport in their spare time thanks to an exciting community pact.

Active Schools co-ordinator Ross Stewart was motivated by a meeting with mums and dads to open up exercise to the youngsters.

Together with school staff and local sports groups he set about delivering an unrivalled range of opportunities in school.

Now pupil participation in after-school and lunchtime sports clubs has jumped from 61 per cent to a remarkable 92 per cent in only a year.

Active Schools co-ordinator Ross Stewart said: "The partnership between Active Schools, Sports Development Inverclyde and Kilmacolm Primary has flourished in the last few years.

"The uptake has been fantastic and the pupils have really bought in to sport being a major part of their school lives.

"Local sports clubs have been a major factor in the success with Kilmacolm Tennis Club, Kilmacolm Golf Club and UKTC Taekwon-Do all playing a major part in what we are offering to the pupils.

"The hope is these pupils stay active now and realise how sport can play a major part in their lives in the future, in terms of health and wellbeing amongst many other factors."

Kilmacolm Primary is one of the many successful stories highlighted in a recent report published about the huge impact Active Schools is now having in Inverclyde.

Pupils can now play football, netball, tennis, golf, netball, athletics, gymnastics, basketball and rugby as well as trying martial arts.

Head teacher Simone McCredie said: "Kilmacolm Primary are so grateful for the commitment of Ross Stewart, who has raised pupil participation.

"This stemmed from Ross meeting with the Kilmacolm Parent Partnership who were keen to see increased pupil engagement in sporting activities."

Coach Ross now hopes to forge stronger links with the local clubs to build up the sports on offer at lunchtime and after school.

Mrs McCredie added: "We are aiming for pupils to build a lifelong love of sport."