Sport and Fitness

Throwing events in athletics are very technical.

Discus and shot put is taught in PE lessons and this activity gives pupils the chance to practise their technique and develop it further (progressing to the South African turn in discus throwing for example). Over the years we have seen many pupils develop to become regional and even national champions.

Open to both boys and girls, the basketball activity expands on what is learnt during PE lessons.

Those who enjoy the sport are able to come along and look to take their skills to the next level. Tactics such as the fast break, the screen and half court-to-man defence are taught and are skills we don’t always have time to master in PE lessons.

ChickBox is Eastbourne’s personal training gym for women.

The unique Chick Boxing programme gives women the safe space to enjoy boxing and all of its benefits. Bede’s girls will be enjoying a tailor-made version of Chick boxing that suits their age and development, with a strong focus on confidence building, including body confidence and feeling empowered. We want pupils to understand what their bodies can achieve in a gym environment versus aesthetics. Offering an accessible boxing training programme that’s unique and in an independent space, this activity promises to empower the girls and encourage a happy, healthy approach to the gym.

Our cricket coaches run an ‘open to all’ soft ball development programme during the winter terms.

This takes place at the Senior School and the aim is to help improve techniques and skills based around batting, bowling and hand-eye. Following this, we move towards the hard ball, still coaching/developing and enhancing the techniques of the game in a more game based environment. We then continue on to more ‘squad based’ training as this is aimed at a pre-season programme. Open nets, gamed based challenges and match scenarios for all skills.

During the summer term we run two activity session for Juniors and Seniors alongside the games session, which provides a more enhanced coaching/development programme which progresses to school fixtures.

This session is open to all pupils from Years 3 to 8.

It is an opportunity to have fun in the water and practise some of the skills learnt in lessons. It is a very popular session and is a way to build confidence in the water, whilst having fun and playing games with friends.

Futsal is a variation of indoor football that has been played for many years on the continent and in South America in particular, and is starting to become popular over here.

The ball is smaller and does not bounce as much as a normal ball and the emphasis is therefore very much on dribbling skills and footwork.

The result of all this is that not only will pupils get to play a game they will probably not have played before, but it should also help their skills when it comes to reverting back to association football. Win win!

Nationally and internationally girls’ football is growing constantly, and here at Bede’s we want girls to be as fully involved as possible.

During the football activity, pupils focus on footwork, drills, possession play and the small-sided game, dissecting the components down to give the girls a greater understanding of the game. This activity is run by Kellie Larkin who has represented England on eight different occasions. She hopes to inspire and educate the girls, and to foster a sense of belief in themselves.

Golf Club takes place at Lottbridge Golf Club every Monday.

The activity gives pupils the opportunity to get to grips with golf and have fun trying out the various different clubs.

It gives pupils the chance to see who can hit the ball the furthest, sometimes the highest and occasionally behind us!

In time, some of those may be able to go out on to a course to challenge the golfing greats!

Gymnastics has been a great success in the Activity programme and it has been wonderful to see so many cartwheels and forward rolls on display. The children enjoy the opportunity to perform and create partnership routines. We look at balances, vaulting, basic floor routines and even get the trampoline out on occasions! We have gymnastics within the school PE curriculum so it’s a great way to improve upon your skills. Throughout the younger years we work on the basic Gymnastic Proficiency Awards which go down in levels starting at level 8, with a certificate awarded after completion of each level. Some of our current gymnasts are on level 1, which is fantastic!

Handball is a fast and exciting game, played with a small ball that can be thrown into a hockey-sized goal from outside a small area.

Movement around the court is not unlike basketball, but it is the leaping shot that is the exciting but. Who wouldn’t enjoy running up and throwing a ball past a keeper and into the net?

We do lots of team games at Bede’s, but this is a chance to try something a little bit different.

This activity is run to ensure that children who would like to play hockey outside of the season are catered for.

These sessions tend to include a short skill specific part when leads on to a standard hockey match, which the children love. This session is not targeting for pupils at a particular level or ability, but is to give children the opportunity to play hockey all year round.

This activity is the ideal opportunity to experience the variety that Bede’s has on offer. Every week will introduce a different sport such as football, handball, netball, touch rugby, stool ball, basketball and lacrosse. It is not only great fun but the team play enhances the all round transferable skill and tactical awareness of each participant as well as enabling them to find something in particular that they love.

Netball squad training activities run across all terms for our budding netball players.

The sessions are designed to develop players who are keen to build upon their netball skills, preparing them mentally and physically to play within the school netball team.

A training session will consist of skill based practices, enabling players to really understand the technical aspects of netball specific movements and ball control and when to apply these skills during competitive match play. The sessions also focus on developing players core strength, balance and agility; all key aspects of a successful netball player.

Players will get to experience match play during the activity to provide exposure to the challenges that come when putting all that has been learnt into a competitive match. Match play is coached and team talks ensure players have both individual and team targets to take on board in order to improve their performance.

This activity aims to be relaxed and sociable, allowing you to compete and have fun with your friends whilst playing singles or doubles.

Known as the world’s best brain sport, ping pong facilitates improvement with hand eye coordination. Table football helps to promote teamwork and team spirits, whilst having lots of fun.

Both activities are great for burning off any excess energy!

When the Summer Term is in full swing, the girls always love a fun game of rounders in the sunshine.

By placing the emphasis on fun, the rounders option is a very popular activity choice and encourages pupils to take part in sport for the social enjoyment. The girls have developed the core skills of throwing, catching and batting from Cricket so are all very comfortable adapting to the rounders rules. Within the activity, the girls have a quick warm up of a skills circuit followed by a fun game to finish. Rounders is a game that is all about teamwork, which the girls here at Bede’s are brilliant at!

Softball has been attended by a variety of children from Years 6 to 8.

We have played, mostly a format similar to Rounders. However, we have had lots of fun changing to rules to make it more interesting and challenging. We have even crossed cricket with softball to see what happens; the results were very interesting. Each week we have two teams who work hard at fielding and batting. Softball is an activity that gives us all a chance to relax and have fun, yet maintain that competitive edge in a friendly sporting manner.

Squash has proved to be a very popular sport for pupils who already enjoy tennis at the Prep School.

As a racket sport, it is easy to learn, fantastic for fitness as well as being a great social activity. It is open to all age groups and we provide pupils with protective eyewear and rackets. Pupils progress through the different colour dot squash balls, transitioning to the super slow double yellow as their proficiency increases. There is also the opportunity to play in the school squash team.

Happily the ancient traditional Sussex game of Stoolball is alive and thriving here at Bede’s Prep.

With its origins back to the 1450’s, Stoolball has certainly weathered the tempests of time and remains an exciting, mixed game usually played in the warmer summer months.

Recommended by the national curriculum as a great striking and fielding sport, it has been a welcome addition to the activities programme.

Children in Years 6, 7 and 8 have the opportunity to learn tactics, skills and rules of Stoolball, which also directly link to cricket.

‘Cricket in the air’, as Stoolball has often been termed, has the main aim to see which of two teams can score the most runs against one another. It consists of overs of 8 balls bowled to the opposition who must protect tall, square, shoulder height wickets. Unusually there is no pre-determined length of game. But for activity session purposes and to ensure every pupil gets to bat and bowl, we have adapted the ‘one out all out’ rule for maximum activity all round.

Our Strength and Conditioning sessions are led by Tony Morriss, using the excellent gym facilities at Bede’s Senior School.

Groups are encouraged to begin an understanding of their own health and fitness, from the way their joints move through to the difference between the cardio machines and weight training. The emphasis is on fun and building a life long love of health and fitness, whilst enhancing the pupils’ sporting endeavours in every discipline.

Bede’s Swim Squad welcomes swimmers who are keen and enthusiastic to learn about competitive swimming.

There are five squad sessions a week, one specifically for Years 3 and 4, two early morning sessions (including breakfast!) and two late evening sessions open to Year 5 upwards.

Squad sessions are fun and all swimmers use a variety of training equipment from fins and hand paddles to snorkels. All squad swimmers have the opportunity to represent the school in galas, putting their competitive skills into practice!

At Bede’s, we are lucky to have Mr Atherton and Mrs Rham who are both qualified trampoline coaches.

The size of the group is capped to ensure everyone has the plenty of bouncing time.

After a safety briefing, pupils are taught the basics of jumping, stopping, twisting and shapes in the air, including tuck, straddle and pike, before moving on to more difficult moves such as the seat drop, front drop and swivel hips.

As the pupils become more proficient and have a wide range of moves under their belt, they can start to look at doubles which is always great fun!

Volleyball is offered as an indoor sport at Bede’s Prep as part of our PE curriculum and now it is included in our activity line up.

Level 2 Coach Mrs Rham delivers fun outdoor sessions during the Summer Term, enhancing the provision for our core sports (hockey, cricket and football) by working on the transferable skills of this fast paced, reflex based, coordination game. Pupils learn to work together, react quickly and formulate attacking and defensive play with the beautiful backdrop pf the coastline accompanying the sessions. Communication is key in volleyball, which is great for confidence building and with a range of age groups across Years 6 to 8, pupils make new friendships and enjoy developing skills learnt in PE lessons in a relaxed environment with just the right amount of competitiveness thrown in!

Watersports takes place at Buzz Active in Eastbourne, the perfect place to get to grips with fun activities on the water.

Throughout the term children enjoy kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, improvised paddleboarding, raft building and body boarding. This is a fantastic activity, expertly led by the staff at Buzz Active, where the pupils learn many new skills in a safe but exciting environment. They develop a true sense of achievement on the open water with every session bringing a smile to their faces, despite how wet everyone gets. The children really do work hard whilst having fun. Watersports is not to be missed!

After a long, hard working school day, there is nothing better than to clear your mind and relax though a peaceful session of yoga.

This class emphasises the fundamentals of yoga, including standing, seated, reclining and balancing poses, movements such as sun salutations and breathing techniques.

It aims to increase flexibility, improve balance, build strength and enhance health and wellbeing. Yoga is a fun and gentle practice, perfect for beginners or anyone in need of a stress relieving activity. Rest your mind, rejuvenate your body and restore balance whilst feeling energised and transformed! Pupils of all abilities are welcome.

Take the work out of workout by having the chance to be active and dance to your favourite music.

Zumba activity sees pupils learn child-friendly routines based on Just Dance choreography. This activity will give you the chance to jump, dance, shake and swing your hips. It’s the perfect recipe for fitness fun!