More than just a game

Taking part in sport is crucial to the well-being of our children.  By providing the widest possible range of opportunities to learn team and individual sports, we aim to sow the seeds of a life-long involvement in and love of sport. We recognise that good sports coaching involves much more than the development of physical skills: sportsmanship, teamwork, communication & leadership skills and the development of self-esteem, alongside a healthy competitive attitude, are all integral parts of our approach.

Spoilt for choice

For boys, Soccer, Rugby, Cricket and Athletics form the core of the games programme, while the girls focus on Netball, Hockey, Rounders and Athletics.  As part of the PE programme, all pupils also cover such topics as Dance, Gymnastics, Basketball, Hockey, Badminton and many more activities related to improving co-ordination skills.

Our Flexiday after-school programme gives opportunities for children to try judo, archery, short tennis, table tennis, fencing, and climbing on our own climbing wall.

Yet more sporting opportunities are on offer in the holiday,  these include: the PASS Soccer week at Easter; the Multi-Activity week in the summer; the annual ski trip and Soccer & Netball tours to Holland.

Discovering talents

Pennthorpe's coaching staff are devoted to drawing the very best out of each individual child, whatever the activity.  Every child has a talent, and we are determined to find out what it is and to develop it to the full.

Specialist teaching for PE and games starts early.  Pupils as young as three benefit from specialist tuition, and as children move up the school, the time allocation for PE and other sporting activities increases from 90 minutes a week (plus swimming lessons) at the age of five, to 300 minutes a week by the time they are nine.

Broad and Abroad

We are proud of the wide range of activities and possibilities that is open to Pennthorpe pupils.  Representing their school in a fixture, or their House on Sports Day or in other inter-house events, can be a real confidence booster.  Sport also helps our children to keep fit, to maintain a healthy life-style, to develop their teamwork and leadership skills and of course, to learn the rules of fair play and sportsmanship.

Some of our most talented Year 7 & 8 sportsmen and women are given the chance to broaden their sporting horizons through the bi-annual Soccer & Netball tour to Holland, a great opportunity to meet and mix with children from another country and to pit their skills in an international arena!

Competition for all

At the top end, Pennthorpe sports teams have earned themselves quite a reputation over the years.  Unbeaten seasons are not uncommon, and we are proud of the many past and present pupils who have been selected for teams at county level, or who have qualified and taken part in area and national competitions.  At Pennthorpe we do not shy away from competition; our children play to win, but also learn how to lose.  We believe that sportsmanship and enjoyment of the game are paramount. There is no 'win at all costs' attitude here.

Pennthorpe's philosophy is also to give as many children as possible the chance to represent their school in competitive fixtures.  We start matches at Under 8 level and try to field as many teams as possible at each age group. Pennthorpe has been known to field as many as fifteen different teams for inter-school matches on a single afternoon! And for those children who may still miss out on selection, and who would like a chance to play in a match, there's always the invitation to play for one of the Headmaster's Special Reserves teams!

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THe Pennthorpe sports department has partnered with a company called PlayerLayer Ltd who produce baselayer garments.  The PlayerLayer is an under layer garment which keeps pupils warm in cold conditions and also cool in warm conditions, increasing sporting enjoyment.  THe garment keeps moisture away from the skin and regulates the body temperature reducing the risk of injury.  The baselayer also protects the skin against the cold, helps improve performance and recovery and has an anti-bacterial coating preventing odour.  There is no obligation to wear one of these garments but we do know that many children like to wear them.  May we remind parents that, if used, Pennthorpe pupils are e4xpected to wear the Pennthorpe School Playerlayer only please.

If you would like to order a PlayerLayer for your Pennthorpe child, please go to the PlayerLayer website using the link below. 

Link to Playerlayer website for orders www.playerlayer.com