Sport is part of our DNA
From supporting budding athletes through an elite pathway to providing all pupils with the opportunity to represent their school through competition, the aim is the same. To promote positive wellbeing and develop character and resilience that comes through participation in sport. Our ethos has been commended time and time again. Shortlisted in the Independent School of the Year Awards 2022 for Sporting Achievement, following on from a Finalist position in 2019, we are proud of our reputation for a holistic commitment to sport.
the sporting curriculum
We love sport in all its forms
We offer Football, Rugby, Cricket, Hockey, and Swimming alongside Athletics, Gymnastics, Badminton, Basketball, Cross-Country, Biathlon, and Tennis.
Depending on your child’s age, we’ll focus on the development of different skills – from gross motor skills and coordination at Little Downsend and the Junior School, to agility, cardiovascular endurance, and power in the Senior years. We use cutting-edge technology to film our matches and study game-play, tactics and technique.
We focus on a holistic approach to sport, teaching the importance of movement alongside the fundamentals of nutrition and an understanding of the human body. All pupils have at least 3 hours of PE/Games a week as part of the curriculum, with opportunities for extra-curricular clubs and matches.
In Games, we play:
Autumn Term:
Hockey (girls) and Football (boys)Spring Term:
Netball (girls), Rugby (boys to Y8) and Football (boys Y9-11)Summer:
Cricket (all)
In PE, we teach:
Gymnastics
Swimming
Athletics
Speed Agility and Quickness
FUNdamentals
Facilities
Downsend pupils benefit from:
Extensive football, rugby and cricket pitches
A 200m grass athletics track
Four outdoor cricket nets
All-weather Astro turf
A hard playing surface allowing for 6 tennis courts and 4 netball courts
A 25m indoor swimming pool
Full-size sports hall with facilities for basketball, badminton, netball, 5-a-side football and 4 indoor cricket nets
Sports pavilion, providing additional changing facilities, a café, and spectator areas.
Sporting Success
We are proud and delighted to hold many sporting titles