Nearly 400 pupils at a Douglas primary school put on a show of sportsmanship and athletic excellence across two days last week.

Staff at Henry Bloom Noble Primary School were determined to let their pupils take part in a sports day this year, despite the long lay-off because of coronavirus.

For the first time since moving into the new building in Westmoreland Road, the school spread the event across two days, with the children in Key Stage Two competing on the track at the National Sports Centre, the day after the younger pupils took part at the school.

Acting head teacher Joanne McCabe said: ’In previous years at HBN, we’ve had all the children taking part on the same day but, with so many pupils we decided it would be better this year to split into two events, which also meant it wasn’t too crowded on either day.

’We were very lucky with the weather and lots of family members came to cheer the children on for each day.

’The children were brilliant and it was good to see them give their best but in a very sporting manner.

’One of the nicest things I heard back from some of the parents was that they were impressed at the number of children who stopped what they were doing to help their classmates.’

She added: ’A big thank you to all our staff for putting on the event, everyone who came to support it and, most of all, to the children for taking part.’