Sport at The Leys Overview
Director of Sport, Peter White
Sport is a central part of education at The Leys. With over twenty different sports played at competitive and recreational level and top professional coaches, outstanding facilities and close links with University and Cambridge sport, The Leys has a tremendous reputation for producing top sportspeople at local, regional and national level.
Our commitment to sport is displayed by the enthusiasm and dedication of over 40 members of staff who teach, coach and administer sport. They are supported by professional elite coaches in a number of sports, including cricket, hockey, netball, rowing, rugby, swimming and tennis.
Our sports programme can be divided into three areas.
First is games.
These are compulsory - most pupils participate in two or more usually three afternoon games sessions each week. The major games are cricket, hockey and rugby for boys and hockey, netball, rounders and tennis for girls, with swimming and rowing available for both boys and girls. Pupils not involved in these games follow an options programme at least two afternoons each week, which includes badminton, cross country, dance, fitness, football, karate, sailing, squash and weight training. Where possible we encourage our better athletes to link up with local clubs and academies - some examples are Northampton Rugby Club Academy, Essex County Cricket Club, Cambridgeshire Hockey Academy and Cambridge Swimming Club. We also provide an Elite Performance Programme for top athletes which supports a Personal Trainer who gives fitness advice and helps set individual performance goals.
Secondly
The PE programme in curriculum time covers minor sports, athletics, gymnastics, health, fitness and academic PE. Pupils up to year 11 have one or two hours of PE each week, while PE can be studied at GCSE and A level.
Thirdly
A wide range of extra-curricular sporting options are available after school and at weekends. These involve competitive match training and recreational sport, with the emphasis on fun. Other activities include outdoor and adventure activities run through the CCF and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, with mountain expeditions, canoeing, sailing and climbing. A high proportion of pupils are involved with teams in many sports including badminton, fencing, football, volleyball and water polo.
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