Games and activities are an integral part of life at Gayhurst whose ethos is ‘sport for all’. The sports’ facilities consist of: an all-weather astro-turf surface, used for Hockey, Tennis, Football and Netball; The new sports hall which will consist of 3 cricket nets, full sized basketball court, 3 netball courts, 1 indoor football and hockey pitch is located next to our astro turf. This will be used throughout the wide spectrum of the P.E and Games Curriculum; four full sized pitches used for Rugby, Cricket and Football on Pease Field which is in walking distance from the school, and the bottom field, which is used for cricket matches, coaching and four under 8 football/rugby pitches..
We are extremely lucky with the size of our site and a Cross Country course that runs through the woods and around our top fields giving our children a challenging 1-mile loop. Swimming lessons take place at the Teikyo School in Wexham and this is for all children from Reception -Year 6 in which children are taught how to swim, stroke technique and water safety. Our talented swimmers are given the opportunity to compete in swimming galas for the swim squad.
The main sports are Rugby, Hockey, Football, Netball, Cricket and Athletics with boys and girls being given the opportunity to compete across all the major sports. Cross Country Running, Basketball, Tennis, Gymnastics and Swimming are an integral part of the sports curriculum. On top of the major sports, children take part in clubs such as Skiing, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Squash and Golf. I removed fencing Through our Games and P.E. Program, we aim to introduce as many sports as possible, giving the children variety and ensuring that they enjoy all aspects of sport. Year 6 children are allowed to choose which sports they would like to play over the 3 seasons. Children who want to excel in specific sports are given the opportunity to do so through our ‘gifted and talented programme’. We have children on sports scholarships at a number of Senior Schools. ‘Colours’ are awarded in Year 6 to acknowledge the children’s efforts in the various sports.
The specialist Games’ staff who supervise and teach sport are often assisted by external coaches from clubs or sports’ foundations.
Matches are arranged throughout the year against other schools at a variety of levels in order to give all the children the opportunity of representing the school. Matches start in Year 3 and children get the opportunity to compete against each other during the fiercely contested inter-house matches at the end of the season.
The teams are competitive and well coached, and the importance of good sportsmanship is high on the school’s list of priorities. Our key aim is ‘sport for all’.