Sport

Building character and strength, confidence and coordination, sport matters. We have access to superb facilities. Sport is an important part of Berkhampstead life and all are involved.


Sports Days

Sports Days are a real highlight of the year and all from age 3 take part. Pre-Prep events are held in the school grounds. The older children help out and ensure that every child gets the support that they need to enjoy the day.

Prep Sports Day takes place at the superb Prince of Wales Stadium. It is a much anticipated event in the Summer calendar. Run as a House competition, it is keenly yet sportingly contested - the trophies are prized!


Opportunity for all.

From the earliest age all of our children benefit from specialist coaching and lots of physical activity. They learn ball skills and balance and become confident with their bodies as they work independently, in pairs and small groups.

Gymnastics and dance, striking and fielding, ball games and athletics are introduced early on. Fun matters, especially at the youngest age and Berkhampstead PE is great fun!

Stories and action games develop agility, balance and co-ordination. Our children climb and run, compete and persevere. They develop spatial awareness, strategic thinking and the key skills needed for inter-school matches later on.


Where Do We Play?

Our purpose-built, all weather MUGA (multi-use games area) provides a fabulous space for sporting skills to be honed. Our Day Nursery toddlers scamper in the space, Pre-Prep children build agility, balance and coordination and Prep boys and girls make full use of the cricket nets, netball courts and long jump pit.


Venues

We have access to superb venues; our cricket and rounders are played on Cheltenham Cricket Club’s superbly kept Victoria Ground. Rugby takes place at Newlands Club. Hockey and football is played at the Victoria Ground - away from the wicket of course!

The Victoria Ground

What we do

Rugby and hockey are the major sports in the Autumn term, whilst the focus is on football and netball in the Spring.

The Summer term sees regular fixtures in cricket and rounders. Approximately 75% of all children in Years 3-6 attend clubs at the lovely Victoria Cricket Ground on Thursdays after school - some parents bring deckchairs to watch in the sunshine!

Cross-country, fencing, swimming, girls’ football, lacrosse, tennis, athletics and basketball add to the range available - there’s something for everyone!

Hugely popular is the Running Club which meets before school on Friday mornings come rain or shine and is a great start to the day!


Competing

As children progress through the school, we expose them increasingly to team sports - modified to be age-appropriate - and our trained staff give coaching in the rules, tactics and techniques.

We play a huge number of matches against other schools and our inclusive approach means that every child represents the school in matches at some level. It is not unusual for every child in the Prep to play competitively in a week.


Fit For Life

Our aim is for pupils to leave Berkhampstead with a love of sport and health-related fitness, with a habit of taking physical activity that will stay with them throughout their lives and with the skills and confidence to take on and tackle any sport that they may go on to encounter.

Most break times see a great deal of football, cricket, throwing and catching games on the playground, with both boys and girls taking part.

Traditional playground games remain popular. Whatever they choose, our children are active and outdoors, weather permitting.