A Celebration of Sport, Teamwork and Triumph at the Exceed Trust Games

More than 300 pupils from across Exceed Learning Partnership came together yesterday for an unforgettable day of sport, teamwork and celebration at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) Sheffield, as all nine of our primary academies competed in the annual Exceed Trust Games.

The event saw children from Years 3 to 6 represent their academies across a wide range of sporting challenges, testing their speed, agility, teamwork and determination. Throughout the day, pupils embraced every opportunity to compete, support one another and demonstrate the values that define our Trust.

One of the standout features of this year's Games was the breadth of success across the competition. With event victories shared between academies throughout the day, pupils from across the Trust had their moment to shine, creating an exciting and closely contested atmosphere from the opening event through to the final results.

Carr Lodge Academy enjoyed an exceptional day overall, securing the Year 3/4 title, the Year 5/6 title and the overall combined championship. Hill Top Academy continued their friendly sporting rivalry with a strong performance to finish third overall, while Sandringham Primary School celebrated significant progress by climbing the rankings with an impressive display across the competition.

While medals and trophies recognised outstanding performances, the biggest success of the day was the sportsmanship shown by every academy. Pupils encouraged teammates, applauded their competitors and displayed resilience, respect and determination in every event. The atmosphere throughout the EIS reflected the very best of school sport, with every participant contributing to a day filled with encouragement, enthusiasm and pride.

The celebrations were made even more memorable with a special appearance from heavyweight boxer Dave Allen, who presented medals and trophies to the day's competitors. Taking time to congratulate pupils and pose for photographs, Dave's encouragement provided an inspiring end to a fantastic day of competition.

A huge thank you goes to our valued partners, Activ8, whose coaching expertise and excellent organisation ensured the event ran seamlessly from start to finish. Their passion for developing young people through sport played a vital role in making the Trust Games such a memorable occasion.

We would also like to thank the fantastic students from Hall Cross Academy, who volunteered throughout the day. Their enthusiasm, professionalism and willingness to support pupils, staff and organisers alike helped ensure the event ran smoothly and provided younger pupils with excellent role models.

Reflecting on the day, Beryce Nixon, Director of Primary Education at Exceed Learning Partnership, said:

"The Trust Games are always a highlight of the year, bringing our primary academies together to celebrate sport, teamwork and friendship. It was fantastic to see so many pupils enjoying success across the different events and supporting one another throughout the day. Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a memorable occasion."

The Exceed Trust Games continue to be a highlight of the school calendar, providing pupils with the opportunity to challenge themselves, build new friendships and experience the pride of representing their academy. With smiles, medals and memories shared across all nine primary academies, the 2026 Trust Games proved to be another outstanding celebration of sport and community.