Cross Country

From the 1960s to the early 1990s Skinners’ nationwide fame came almost completely from the superb cross country teams produced by the legendary Mike Rowbottom. Rowbottom was Head of RE and Head of House at Skinners’ and his retirement showed that a teacher can be irreplaceable.

The 2020s have seen increased participation and success, with the Junior, Intermediate and Senior boys’ teams qualifying for the regional round of the English Schools Cross Country Cup. Twenty eight Skinners’ boys represented Tunbridge Wells District in this year’s Kent Schools’ Cross Country Championships and eight boys gained selection for Kent in 2025/6. The number of races that Skinners’ participates in has significantly increased, and red vests are now prominent in events across the South East of England including second place finishes at the Judge Cup in 2025 and 2026. Going further afield, Skinners’ also competes at the King Henry VIII Schools Relays in Coventry finishing in 12th position from the 59 teams drawn from across the UK this year.

Skinners’ has hosted cross country races for Tunbridge Wells primary schools at Southfields and also hosts its own races for secondary school pupils, with over 200 runners racing in the latter event this year. In addition, the Inter House Cross Country Races for Years 7-10 and the Inter House Cross Country Relay, that has teams made up of all year groups, are now an established part of Skinners’ sporting life.

Training at Southfields:

Junior Running Club (Y7 & Y8) - currently after school on Thursdays

Intermediate Running Club (Y9-13) - currently after school on Fridays

Dr Richard Newbold

Richard.Newbold@skinners-school.org.uk