Physical Education (PE)

The Physical Education Department consists of eight dedicated and fully qualified teachers who are committed to the sporting development of all pupils. The schools commitment to Physical Education has been rewarded with the Sportsmark Award. Two further members of staff work within our feeder first and middle schools as School Sport Co-ordinators.

The schools sports facilities are excellent, with the department being based in Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre, which boasts two full size sports halls, two gymnasium, 5 squash courts, 5 tennis courts, redgra pitch, three football pitches, two rugby pitches and a pavilion. For examination classes the department has its own teaching classroom containing networked computers and an interactive whiteboard.

Pupils receive 2 hours of high quality PE a week. The PE curriculum has traditionally been dominated by Games activities, with all pupils also participating in Gymnastics and Athletics. The department is continually striving to offer a range of new and different actvities in order to maximise participation and enjoyment. New activities include boxing, boxercise, disc sports (ultimate, disc golf), roller skating, roller hockey.

Examination courses are a key feature in the department. GCSE PE and A-Level Sport have been offered for the last few years. More recently new, additional courses have been offered. These courses are more vocational - BTEC First Diploma in Sport at Key Stage 4 and BTEC National Award in Sport at Key Stage 5.

Extra-curricular provision is a major strength of the school. A significant number of pupils represent school in a wide range of sports, playing against other schools both locally and regionally. Teams are represented in :- football (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls), rugby (boys and girls), netball, hockey, rounders, cricket, swimming and athletics. An increasing number of pupils are now performing at a very high level in their chosen sports, a small number participate at national level. Other activities that are offered on a more recreational level are :- trampolining, badminton, squash, table tennis, tennis, boxing, roller hockey, boxercise, volleyball, gymnastics, dance.

Over 80 pupils are now actively involved in Sports Leadership. As part of the Coaching, Leadership and Enterprise Academy, pupils deliver after school sports sessions in our first and middle schools. Pupils develop a wide range of skills through leadership that they can use later in life, including communication, organisation, awareness of health and safety, fair play, etc. Pupils can gain qualifications in Sports Leadership as the department delivers the nationally recognised Sports Leaders UK courses in both sport, and dance. The department also delivers National Governing Body leadership qualifications such as EBBA Level One Coach, FA JFO Award and RFL JRLL Award.

The department holds an Annual Sports Presentation Evening where the sporting success of the pupils is celebrated. This is always a very successful evening and the department invites ex pupils who have become professional sportsmen and women to present the awards.

Staff 

Mr R Hirst - Head of Department
Mrs C Ewen - 2nd in Department
Mr P Woolford
Mrs K Stephenson
Miss C Day
Miss J Barker
Mr K Hanogue
Mr M Whiteley
Ms G Gerrard - SSCo
Miss K Taylor - SSCo