We aim:

To offer a diverse and inclusive programme of activities in which every pupil participates. In addition to being inclusive, we aspire to the highest level of elite performance in our major games. The activities on offer are designed to be enjoyable and to challenge pupils’ physical abilities. We also aim to provide as many as possible with the opportunity to represent the school.

What staff and facilities are available to the department?

In addition to the eight specialist staff, the department is supported by twelve academic staff who run and coach school teams.

The school benefits from excellent sports facilities, including extensive grassed areas at school and at Dialstone Lane. The school also boasts two gymnasia, two squash courts, a 25m swimming pool, five netball courts (seven tennis courts in summer), one astro-turf pitch (eight tennis courts in summer), four artificial cricket nets, and fitness room including a nine-station multi-gym. In addition, the purpose-built sports centre contains a sports hall, newly built climbing wall, extensive changing areas and a fitness suite.

How much time will I spend on this subject per ten day cycle?

• First Year 2 lessons of gymnasium-based Physical Education, 2 lessons of Games and 1 lesson of Swimming (equating to 5 hours over the cycle)
• Second and Third Years: 2 lessons of Physical Education and 2 lessons of Games (equating to 4 hours over the cycle)
• Fourth and Fifth Years: 1 lesson of Physical Education and 2 lessons of Games (equating to 3 hours over the cycle)
• Sixth Form: Team players have 4 Games lessons whilst others participate in recreational sporting activities for 2 lessons

What activities take place during lessons?

The main winter games for boys are rugby and football and for girls are hockey and netball. In the summer, boys concentrate on cricket and athletics, whilst the girls focus their attention on tennis, athletics and rounders. The Physical Education curriculum is diverse with activities including, aerobics, badminton, ball skills, basketball, dance, hockey, gymnastics, health-related fitness (including fitness testing), squash, swimming and volleyball.

What happens further up the school?

GCSE Physical Education is a two-year course which is designed to give a broad outline of the theoretical and practical aspects of Physical Education.

Topics covered for the theoretical examination are: the body systems energy in action, fitness for health and performance training, skill care for the body, safety taking part in sport, the changing face of sport, providing for sport and sport as a spectacle. For the practical side of the course each candidate is taken through the individual skills and game play of each of their chosen activities and is taught how to analyse their own performance as well as the performance of others in order to improve their technique. This culminates in the submission of a 3,000 word coursework assignment based on one or more of the activities in the syllabus, which must show how the individual’s performance, or that of others, has improved. The course has become increasingly popular with large numbers of pupils in each of our Fourth and Fifth Years involved.

Do you do AS & A2 Physical Education?

We have recently introduced both AS and A2 Physical Education which follows the OCR syllabus.

What extra curricular activities are available?

There is a comprehensive extra-curricular programme including:

School Teams - The school boasts a large number of teams. Sports represented are girls’ hockey, netball and tennis and boys’ football, rugby, basketball and cricket. Both boys and girls can take part in school teams for cross-country, swimming and athletics. All of these play on a regular basis (both Saturdays and midweek), and up to 350 pupils represent the school on a Saturday.

The school teams have an excellent reputation, gaining success in regional and national competitions. Individuals frequently gain representative honours with both County and National teams.

House Sports - The inter-house sports competition has a central role within the school. It incorporates a total of 14 activities, from rugby to chess, and provides a very important level of competitive, representative experience for large numbers of pupils.

Clubs - Clubs are organised in an increasing number of activities. These include dance, fitness, climbing, basketball, squash, weight-lifting, leisure swimming, aerobics, gymnastics, badminton and lifesaving. These activities are not concerned with producing school teams as such, but rather to encourage widespread participation and enjoyment.

Can I go on tour with the school team?

Yes, recent school sports tours have included: Australia (cricket), Barbados (cricket, netball and hockey); Ireland (rugby and cricket); Holland (hockey); Malta (cricket and netball); South Africa (rugby); Canada (rugby); Italy (netball and rugby); Portugal (rugby).