Sport

There is an intensive programme of Physical Education (P.E.) and Games for all children at Prince’s Mead. This enables each child to learn new skills while keeping them fit, active, healthy and happy, no matter what their level of sporting ability. All children are taught by fully-qualified Physical Education teachers and individual coaches, ensuring each child is stimulated mentally and physically. The wide range of sports on offer during the Games session include football, netball, hockey, swimming, rugby, cross-country, cricket, and athletics.

The purpose of Games is to develop and improve the children’s skills in the various sports we offer. Such key attributes include spacial awareness, sportsmanship, determination, teamwork and cooperation. During Games sessions children are coached in small groups and to a high standard. It is the aim of the Sports Department to enable children to experience all major team games and to extend their natural abilities to the full. Ultimately, children will have the opportunity to put these skills to the test by competing in inter-school matches.

Regular sports matches are arranged for children from Year 3 (under 8) up to Year 6 (under 11). The Sports Department endeavours to inspire every child in competitive matches each term. In order to get the best out of each individual, matches are arranged to challenge the children. This generally means that the teams are selected on ability. However, there are other factors such as attitude, effort and behaviour that may influence selection. We also try to encourage as many competitive fixtures for the teams as possible. Children are always delighted to represent the school but it is a commitment and, if selected for a team, a pupil is expected to play. Permission to miss matches must always be sought from the Director of Sport in writing.

Schedule

Children in Nursery, Reception and Year 1 have two sports lessons a week. Swimming lessons take place for one school term during one of these sessions (Year 2 in the Michaelmas term / Reception and Year 1 in the Lent term).

Year 2 have three sports lessons a week, with competitive sports introduced.

For Prep children, Games sessions are timetabled on two afternoons per week. Matches take place throughout the year on Wednesday afternoons for Years 5 & 6 and Thursday afternoons for Years 3 & 4.

In addition, and as outlined in the Co-Curricular section, a number of activities are open to children in the Pre-Prep and Prep to enjoy after school. As these are extracurricular, there is an additional cost for these clubs.

Fixtures

On Wednesdays, Years 5 & 6 will have a Games session or fixtures against other schools. This will happen for Years 3 and 4 on a Thursday. You are very welcome to come and watch both home and away matches. Fixture dates can be found on the Sports Matches section of the website. Match details can be viewed without a login but you will need the password: 'PMSport' to view the team sheets. Team sheets, including directions and times, are emailed to you by the Director of Sport. Due to the size of some of the schools we play, some teams may have more fixtures than other teams.

Games & P.E. Kit

Kit is usually left at school. Please check the sports kit list provided on our school website. Children moving to Year 2 will require additional kit which is outlined in the uniform lists. Kit related to a child’s after school activities needs to be brought in on the day of use. Pupils must wear their games kit into school on match days.

Changing Rooms

Parents are not permitted to enter the children's changing rooms at any time.

Protective Equipment

All children must have shin pads for both hockey and football matches. These need to be provided by you. All children from Year 3 to Year 6 must have either plastic-moulded football boots, or football/ rugby boots with safety studs; either rubber or aluminium.

We recommend children in Year 3 purchase football boots with the Velcro straps, as laces can cause a long delay in changing at this age.

All children from Year 3 to Year 6 must have a mouth guard for specific sports. These must be provided by you. Children in Years 5 & 6, playing cricket, must wear a helmet whilst batting or wicket-keeping, regardless of ability. The school provides helmets. A box must also be worn when using a hard ball.

Sport Colours

Colours are awarded at the end of each term in Year 6 to some members of the A team squads in football, rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, swimming, athletics and gymnastics at the following times in the academic year:

Michaelmas - Netball and football.

Lent - Rugby, hockey, and swimming.

Summer - Cricket and athletics.

The criteria is that pupils must have played regularly in the A team matches from Year 5 or have made a significant contribution to matches in Year 6. A significant contribution is defined as;

A pupil that has demonstrated a high level of ability in that particular sport.
A consistent dedication to the team.
An exemplary attitude and gracious sporting behaviour on and off the field/pitch/court at all times.

As colours are an award for sporting excellence, point 1 will carry the greatest weighting.

The awarding of a colour will be proposed initially by the staff member in charge of the respective team. This will then be approved by the Sports Department. Any questions relating to the awarding of colours should be directed to the Director of Sport.