Sport

Football

Pupils at Bede's Prep play football throughout the entire Autumn Term (for boys) and Spring Term (for girls) with training twice a week and fixtures on Wednesdays or Saturdays.  There are also opportunities in Year 7 and 8 to trial with the Junior Football Academy which is run in conjunction with Swerve Soccer, offering top level weekly coaching on a Thursday evening.

Coaching is led by ex-Chelsea player Kellie Larkin, Bede's Director of Sport (UEFA A and ISFA coach) David Caryer and supported by Dan Harding (Southampton, Brighton and Ipswich Town) and Director of Swerve Soccer, Oliver Davies.  This integrated approach to coaching supports players as they transition up to the Senior School; by the time pupils move up the nationally renowned football programme at Bede's Senior School the coaching team will have been able to put in place personalised training plans.  

The Junior Academy also competes against other local academies and this combination of training and fixtures provides a singular and foundational opportunity for young players.  

Cricket

The cricket provision at Bede's Prep  is extensive, offering the opportunity for pupils to train three times a week and play matches throughout the Summer Term alongside the indoor winter programme.  

Many of Bede's most successful cricketing alumni, including Luke Wells, Ollie Rayner and Ali Orr began playing cricket at the Prep School before moving on to the Senior School and then into professional careers.  

Continuity of coaching, our year-round programme, access to top level facilities as well as specialist support, including Strength and Conditioning training, are all key elements of our enduring success in cricket.  

Our pupils also participate in a highly competitive fixture programme against other strong cricketing schools, across the country and in recent years have enjoyed success in many of the most prestigious competitions. 

Hockey

The Hockey Programme at Bede's Prep is closely aligned with the Senior School in terms of coaching strategy and philosophy.  

Our girls teams are coached by our staff who work within the Sussex Junior Development League through club side Priory Lemurs which runs on Saturdays throughout the winter, playing against a host of Sussex sides.

The Boys programme is split between seniors and juniors, with training held during Monday and Tuesday Activities sessions, as well as on Fridays.  During the Spring Term hockey is also played during Games lessons as well as in Friday Activities. 

Tennis

Tennis coaching takes place throughout the year at Bede's Prep School.  All levels are catered for, including elite, development and beginners. 

Coaching is led by Level 4 LTA coach, Jane Nash with assistance from Bede's Director of Tennis, Francesca Byrne who has represented Great Britain.

Group coaching takes place during the school day with every year group receiving a one-hour group lesson weekly.  In addition, there is an early morning Team Tennis coaching session by invitation.  Academy training is available year-round at an extra cost.  

We also aim to offer an annual tennis tour to Spain, trip to Wimbledon and a parent/child tournament as well as the opportunity to play in Sussex County Championships, LTA Team Tennis Schools Event and the Bede's Schools Championships.  

Table Tennis

Located at Bede’s Senior School in Upper Dicker, our Academy provides a high-performance environment dedicated to players who demonstrate exceptional talent and a serious commitment to the sport. We focus specifically on Under 11, Under 13, and Cadet categories.

Learn more about our table tennis academy here > 

Netball

Netball training and fixtures are played throughout the Spring Term, with pre-season training also offered during the Autumn Term.  Pupils at the Prep School also have access to our Level 2 accredited coach based at the Senior School.  

Swimming

All pupils at Bede's Prep enjoy weekly or fortnightly swimming lessons.  In addition to the swimming programme offered as part of the curriculum, we offer five swimming squad training sessions as well as activities including lifesaving, diving, kayaking, snorkelling and water polo.   

Bede's participates in county and regional swimming galas, including the prestigious IAPS annual gala which takes place at the Senior School's competition size pool. 

Basketball

Basketball is taught as part of the PE curriculum and pupils who have a passion for basketball can also access the Senior School's coach who has 30 years of playing and coaching experience.  

Sailing

Bede's enjoys an enviable location on the seafront and the sailing activity, run by the highly regarded local club, Buzz Active, takes place right on our door step! The course run by Buzz offers a Junior Introduction to Sailing which allows pupils to work towards a Stage 1 Sailing Qualification under the RYA Scheme.  (This is a chargeable activity). 

Strength and Conditioning

These sessions are held twice a week for pupils in Years 7 and 8 at the gym at the Senior School, by our highly experienced trainer, Tony Morriss.  Sessions are targeted and focus on developing an understanding of ones own health and fitness, the way joints move through the differences between cardio and weigh training.  Pupils who are training at an elite level in a particular sport will be supported with a personalised programme tailored to their sport of choice but for many these sessions represent an opportunity to become familiar and comfortable in a gym and develop a genuine love of fitness.