Health and Fitness

Aside from the “big four” sports, Bede’s also has has over a dozen Sports Clubs which offer expert coaching, invite-only training and busy fixture lists. Like the Academy Programmes, the Sports Clubs are open to pupils from all year group sand aside from team and individual training, each also offers purely recreational sessions for those looking to play sport for enjoyment. These Club Sports include Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country Running, Golf, Indoor Football, Netball, Rugby, Sailing, Squash, Skiing, Swimming and Target Rifle Shooting.

Do you like a challenge? Extreme sports is an activity where you will compete against yourself, overcoming fear and embarrassment to learn new and exciting skills. The activity is guided by pupils who often suggest new sports to try. We currently do a variety of sports depending on the time of year. Pupils learn to carve and pump into the bowls and half pipes with skateboarding and BMXing at Europe’s largest indoor skate park. Equipment is provided or bring your own if you wish. No experience required, just the ability to fall over and get back up again!

Jogging for Fun takes place three times a week. This activity involves jogging at a leisurely pace through areas of extraordinary natural beauty. Pupils do not have to sprint and, as long as they are willing to give it a go, this activity is likely to become a firm favourite. We go to Eastbourne seafront, Seaford Head, the Cuckoo Trail and Arlington Reservoir. Ultimately, Jogging for Fun represents the opportunity to get a little exercise and have some fun. 

Target Rifle Practice is an unusual sport in many ways. Men and women compete against each other on an entirely equal footing.

Shooting represents a set of life skills, in that to be successful it is necessary for the individual to learn skills such as concentration, teamwork and the ability to compete under pressure.

School shooting takes place at Ringmer RBL Rifle Club and the school competes against other schools in shoulder-to-shoulder matches as well as competing in the Sussex Country Leagues from October through to April.

Distinct from the Strength and Conditioning sessions offered to Bede’s elite athletes, all Bedians have access to the School’s fitness suite and training advice during the extremely popular Weights and Fitness activity (for Lower Fifth pupils upwards). These sessions are limited in number and there will be assigned boys and girls Weights and Fitness activity days. All pupils will be baseline tested at the beginning of the term and a training plan will be generated for them. Sessions consist of circuits in the gym, pilates, jogging and spin bikes.

Yoga comprises a combination of strengthening postures, subtle stretching using blocks and relaxation with optional blankets and cushions. 

Professional yoga teacher Gemma Newton-Smith has been teaching at Bede's for two years, and adapts this format to the needs of the class so that it’s equally suited to beginners and more experienced students.