The major sports always put out A and B teams however the Grammar School likes to ensure there are opportunities for many boys to represent their school and so there are always additional teams, particularly for the lower age groups. All pupils also can attend any of the many after-school and lunchtime sports clubs that are on offer, even if they are not necessarily a regular team member.
Multi-sports and different options are also offered to boys in Year’s 10, 11, 12 and 13 in order to allow for other participation opportunities. There are also weekly PE lessons, many House competitions and Inter form football tournaments for all age groups.
The staff always promote the importance of involvement with clubs and teams outside of School and a healthy lifestyle through sporting involvement is promoted in PSHE lessons.
There is a breadth of opportunity on offer to pupils at the Grammar School. These include:
Rugby, Hockey, Cross country, Football, Basketball, Badminton, Swimming, Water Polo, Fencing, Table Tennis, Climbing, Squash, Mind Sports, Cricket, Athletics, Triathlon, Tennis and Golf.
Coaching and Training
The Grammar School have training sessions in place for all the major sports and age groups during the week. More able players are encouraged to assist in coaching the younger age groups to facilitate their understanding and knowledge. Our Elite players, who are part of programmes outside of school (e.g. DPP Rugby, County Hockey, Tennis, Athletics and Cricket) are supported and allowed to attend training sessions and play matches during school hours. Players are also recommended by the School coaching staff, to respective Governing bodies, associations and organisations that run these programmes.
Examples of Coaching for Elite Players
Hockey
Indoor competition; Monthly Masterclass sessions in liaison with Loughborough University; Hockey tours at Year’s 8 to 13.
Rugby
Specific specialist positional skills clinic is run by the Loughborough University 1XV Captain and former Scotland U20 International, Alex Glashan; Swimming sessions are held for the senior team and there are specific gym sessions for other teams; All home senior fixtures are videoed in order to provide feedback; Year’s 7 to 9 have Rugby tours whilst the Senior tour is to a long-haul destination.
Cricket – off season training sessions led by ECB Level 4 coach, Tom Flowers.
Badminton – Saturday morning club run by experienced and professional players
Athletics Club on Wednesday held at Quorn, for all age groups
Football
Our teams compete in prestigious competitions such as the ESFA, ISFA Cup and County Cup, in addition to a wide range of friendly matches with local teams. Our Senior 1st and 2nd XI compete in the Mercian Independent Schools League. We’re incredibly proud that many of our students are currently in Category 1 Premier League Academies. Football is incredibly popular as a choice within our games programme.
The fixture lists are put in place by the Head of Department and are designed to be challenging to test and develop both teams and individuals.
The Foundation is increasing the variety of co-curricular clubs and activities, and we hope that this in turn will increase the number of pupils across the Foundation playing representative sport.
We are delighted to be developing strong links with British Triathlon and the Lawn Tennis Association as well as engaging with Loughborough University through their research and sport specific programmes.
We also have a Scholarship programme.