The sportscotland School Sport Award recognises innovation and achievement in providing school sport, and 32 schools across Stirling have passed with flying colours in this academic year.
Kincardine-in-Menteith Primary, Kippen Primary, St Ninian's Primary and Newton Primary are the newest recipients of a gold award, meaning there are now 21 gold-rated schools in the area.
To achieve a bronze or silver sportscotland School Sport Award, schools self-assess their current practice.
However, to gain gold status an extensive external assessment is also carried out by an independent panel of experts.
Councillor Susan McGill, Convener of the Children and Young People Committee, said: “I am delighted that so many of our schools have gained this prestigious accolade which shows that physical education is at the heart of our curriculum.
“We want Stirling to be the best place to be active and part of this is ensuring that physical education and sport are embedded within our schools and communities.
“Congratulations to all the staff for all their hard work in delivering these high-quality activities and programmes across Stirling.”
Funded by the National Lottery, the sportscotland School Sport Award is a national initiative designed to encourage continuous improvement in physical education and sport.
It puts young people at the forefront of decision making and planning of physical education and school sport, while increasing opportunities for pupils to take part.
The award also encourages sporting links between schools and communities, providing opportunities for young people to progress
Chief Executive of sportscotland, the national agency for sport, Stewart Harris, said: “Congratulations to staff and pupils across Stirling who are putting sport and physical education right at the heart of their school and local community. They should be proud of this fantastic achievement.
“Along with our partners, sportscotland is committed to building a world-class sporting system for everyone, and a crucial part of that is putting young people at the centre of our efforts.
“Working with local authorities and governing bodies of sport, we are creating closer links between physical education, school sport and club sport, which benefits young people by providing more and better opportunities to take part in sport.
“It’s great to be able to recognise more schools than we ever have before, it shows that pupils, staff and parents across the country see the undoubted value in having sport as a crucial part of school life.”
• Stirling gold schools (21) Kincardine-in-Menteith Primary School, Kippen Primary School, Newton Primary, St Ninians Primary School, Aberfoyle Primary School, Balfron High, Bannockburn Primary School, Buchanan Primary, Buchlyvie Primary School, Callander Primary, Drymen Primary School, Dunblane Primary, East Plean Primary School, Fintry Primary, Killearn Primary School, McLaren High, Our Lady's RC Primary School, Raploch Primary, St Marys RC Primary School (Bannockburn), Strathblane Primary and Wallace High School
• Stirling silver schools (8) Allan's Primary School, Borestone Primary, Dunblane High School, Thornhill Primary, Balfron Primary School, Cowie Primary, St Mary’s Episcopal Primary and Deanston Primary
• Stirling bronze schools (3) Castleview School, Braehead Primary and Cornton Primary School
For more information on the sportscotland School Sport Award visit: https://sportscotland.org.uk/schools/school-sport-award
Note: Picture shows P7 pupils at Dunblane Primary - one of the 21 schools in Stirling to have won a gold award - at a Scottish Athletics road relay event at Grangemouth Stadium. This event was part of the school's promotion of health and well-being.