SPORT
widening their offering so that it’s not just about competition and traditional team sports – which continue to have a hugely important place on the curriculum – but participation and wellbeing, too. Stephen Perse Cambridge is one of the schools to develop a popular outdoor education programme where pupils can try – among other activities – kayaking, paddleboarding, climbing and archery. “It’s growing at the moment and is bringing in different students – it’s lovely to see them participating,” says Charlotte Wells. Creag Lawrence, director of sport at Kimbolton School, also sees a shift. It’s not just about which sports are offered but the rationale behind them. For the school, in addition to traditional team sports, it’s about creating memorable moments for every pupil, he says. “You could have a boy or girl playing football, hockey or tennis, representing the school and playing in competitions. On the other side, it could be a sixth form girl or boy undertaking yoga on a Wednesday afternoon for wellbeing
Far from being separate to the academic side of life, sport can boost achievement and build engagement
LIFELONG RESULTS Kimbolton (top left), St Faith’s (above) and Stephen Perse Cambridge (below) hope pupils will have the confidence to continue physical activity long after leaving school
and de-stressing from the pressure of the academic side of school.” And his hopes for pupils extend well into the future. “We want pupils leaving Kimbolton to have the competence and confidence to engage in physical activity for the rest of their lives,” he adds. There’s no reason why that considered, well-balanced approach shouldn’t start well before senior school. At St Faith’s, which goes up to year 8, the names of the game are variety, diversity and inclusion. Here, Linda North, PE teacher and head of Latham House, explains that even the youngest pupils in preschool enjoy a rich variety of activities and start to learn how to work together, compete and collaborate – something that stands them in good stead in other aspects of their lives at school. Traditional sports abound, of course (cricket is offered from year 1), but the choices, whether in timetabled lessons or through a tempting assortment of clubs, are dazzling. Older children can opt for rowing alongside the usual netball, football and rugby, with inventive options such as pickleball also on the menu. Build, bolster and boost What comes across is schools’ willingness to see sport as a vital thread that links different aspects of the education they
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