Physical Education

Physical Education promotes all aspects of health as well as teaching the importance of adhering to codes of conduct, team work and leadership and giving an appreciation of the abilities of others.

Carefully planned sequences of lessons introduce the fundamental motor skills of running, jumping, catching, throwing, striking and aquatic movements as well as covering warm-up and warm-down exercises and the rules of different sports. The lessons use an inclusive multi-task approach to stimulate all pupils to progress; team teaching allows pupils to be grouped in many different ways and supervised appropriately. Full use is made of the enviable facilities, including the new Sports Hall and fitness room as well as the swimming pool, the astro-turf and the many courts and fields.

The lessons are designed to support pupils selected for school teams and undergoing regular extra-curricular coaching sessions as well as pupils who enjoy less competitive sporting involvement. The school has a strong record in developing pupils’ sporting talents with many pupils representing Somerset or the South West region in rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, athletics, cross-country and swimming. Clubs for most sports flourish with opportunities for pupils to participate in squash, fencing, table tennis, climbing, gymnastics, trampoline, badminton, basketball, volleyball, handball and many others alongside the main team sports.

Regular tours and trips to national competitions, in the full range of sports, add a further dimension to an already rich mix of sporting opportunities.

Physical Education at A level is a popular choice, allowing students to understand the range of physical, biological and psychological strategies used to improve physical performance as well as seeing the historical and cultural importance of sport.