PE

The strength of PE lies in the Outdoor Education Programme supported by class games lessons for the Lower School and the extra curricular programme. Although the boys are actively encouraged to participate in physical activity it is recognised that there are some ( especially Asperger’s boys) who have no interest in physical activity.

Games lessons for boys in the lower school are held either in the sports hall or when the weather permits outside on the extensive playing field behind the school The opportunities in the Lower School’s games lessons includes skills in football, basketball, badminton, tennis, squash, athletics and general coordination skills. Lessons are restricted to a single period as the general fitness and concentration span would not cope over a longer period of time. The lessons concentrate as much on self discipline and fair play and related social skills as much as physical development.

The older boys have a full games and activities afternoon each Tuesday that allows them to follow their personal interests. They are given a choice of going swimming, attending a local fitness gymnasium, motorbikes, squash, country walks and cooking (for those less energetic).

Although football remains a popular sport the sizes of the classes means that it cannot be played competitively during normal lesson times although there are practice activities that are enjoyed with the small groups. However it is played with great enthusiasm during many evenings of the school week when boys from all groups join together. The extra curricular programme has regular trips to local swimming pools and games of badminton are frequently offered, while cricket has become a popular evening activity during the summer term.

Outdoor Education is especially strong with several of the staff being highly qualified in climbing, skiing, kayaking, canoeing, orienteering, mountain biking and body boarding. Each year group enjoys a session of one or other of these activities each week. The Year 10 and 11 boys begin learning to ski on a variety of local dry slopes in the half term leading up to Christmas and this culminates in the Spring term when they are taken for a week long skiing trip to Italy.