physical education

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The Department is served by two full time specialists and a host of other talented sportsmen on the Staff. Our aim is to develop the potential of ALL pupils and to foster individual and team skills, equipping the boys with skills for future leisure or serious sport.

Junior pupils in Year 7 are allocated one lesson of core PE a week and two periods of Games. The focus of these lessons is to develop individual skills and techniques, e.g. gymnastic, ball handling, individual elements of rugby, cricket, athletics and hockey. The programme allows for the development with middle school pupils of health related fitness, strengthening, multi-gym work, basketball, volleyball and tennis as well as those listed. With the senior year groups, the range of activities broadens to include as many sports as facilities allow.

The afternoon games sessions concentrate on rugby, hockey, cross-country running, cricket, athletics and tennis. Again, with senior pupils, other areas are sometimes available, e.g. squash, badminton, rock-climbing, weight-lifting, 5-a-side soccer, and volleyball, though the majority of pupils compete for positions in School teams and are expected to represent the School when required. Games sessions are held at Southfields Park (15 minutes’ walk from the School). The fields are extensive and are for the exclusive use of Skinners’ pupils. A new pavilion has recently been constructed.

                                  

Skinners’ teams have deserved county and national reputations. In the first term (Autumn), rugby is the priority sport. Twenty two teams are fielded. This season all pupils have played School representative Rugby in one of the 8 under 12 XVs! Remember, the vast majority of new pupils have no previous experience of this sport and no prior knowledge is expected. Midweek and Saturday fixtures are the norm though tours are regularly staged.

 

Skinners’ teams have in the last ten seasons won national and county championships in 15-a-side Rugby and the abbreviated 7’s game. There have been numerous county and national honours. Support for this sport is massive. Close links to NEC Harlequins and London Wasps ensure that talented pupils are given full opportunities to fulfil their potential.

In the Spring, hockey is emphasised with teams playing over 80 fixtures and again having considerable success with all A & B team players training on the nearby Hawkenbury astroturf during their Games afternoon. The Summer term sees teams of cricketers, athletes and tennis players representing the school with enthusiasm, energy and skill (with several boys representing Kent in all three sports). A comprehensive inter-House programme provides additional sporting outlets for all pupils. The programme at Skinners’ is not exclusive to the talented sportsman – our policy is to run as many teams as is possible to give all pupils the opportunities they require. Pupils selected for School representative honours are expected to honour the obligation under normal circumstances.