Sport

The main sources of sports information each week are:

• · The school website for information about the PE and Sport Policy, the Code of Conduct for children and parents, and fixtures listed on the school calendar.
• The Sports Notice Board for fixtures and team sheets.
• ·The Weekly Bulletin newsletter for parents.
• Mr Goodman's weekly emails to Prep parents, including team selections and fixture details.

Please email Mr Goodman (tgoodman@priorparkschools.com) or Mrs Whyte (kwhyte@priorparkschools.com) if you have any queries regarding sport.

All children in Reception to Year 4 swim each week throughout the year.

Children in Years 5 and 6 occasionally swim during Wednesday Games sessions.

Weekly swim clubs are available for our stronger Year 5 and 6 swimmers. These clubs are by invitation only.

All children must have named school swimming kit, including a towel, goggles, school swim cap and school swimming costume.

.

 

Children in Squirrels to Year 4 have one 30-minute PE lesson each week. These lessons include parkour, components of fitness (agility, power, strength, balance and coordination), circuits, yoga and multi-skills activities.

Aspects of PE may also be incorporated into Games lessons for children in Years 5 and 6.

Squirrels to Year 2

Children in Squirrels to Year 2 have one Games lesson each week. The emphasis is on developing the fundamental skills used in hockey, golf, rugby, football, netball, cricket, tennis and athletics. Catching and throwing skills are also taught throughout the year.

Children in our Early Years classes also learn to use balance bikes.

Years 3 to 6

Children in Years 3 to 6 are taught a range of core sports and take part in fixtures against other schools. Training sessions usually take place at Prior Park College.

Autumn Term

· Girls: Hockey

· Boys: Rugby / Touch Rugby

Spring Term

· Girls: Netball

· Boys: Hockey

Summer Term

· Girls: Cricket

· Boys: Cricket

Prep children will also have football fixtures and training sessions during the year.

Years 3 and 4 have Games lessons and fixtures on Monday afternoons.

Years 5 and 6 have Games lessons and fixtures on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

Wednesdays are the main fixture day for Years 5 and 6. Children not involved in fixtures on a particular Wednesday will participate in a variety of sporting activities that promote teamwork and develop a broad range of skills.

Children should always wear their standard Games kit (red polo shirt, shorts/skort, socks, trainers, half-zip top and tracksuit), unless participating in a fixture that requires additional kit. Parents will be informed in advance if a Wednesday activity requires alternative clothing, such as swimming kit.

During the autumn and spring terms, all Prep children must bring their full school tracksuit to Games lessons and fixtures.

Mouthguards are compulsory for Prep hockey and rugby. Children who forget their mouthguard for a training session or fixture will be provided with a spare and parents will be charged £5.

Shin pads are compulsory for Prep hockey and football.

All children must have their own named, reusable water bottle for sports lessons and fixtures, as well as a school sun cap during the summer term. Children should provide their own sun cream.

Sports Fixtures

Matches against other schools take many forms and provide competitive opportunities for children of all abilities. The school provides all necessary sports equipment; however, children must supply their own shin pads and mouthguards where required.

Fixture information can be found on the school calendar and on the Sports Notice Board, situated by the steps leading from the driveway to the playground. Amendments to fixtures occasionally occur and the notice board and calendar will always contain the most up-to-date information.

Friendly Fixtures: Prior Park Paragon against one other school.

Festivals: Short matches against several schools on the same day.

Tournaments: Similar to festivals but more competitive, with the aim of winning a trophy or medal.

Teams may be organised in a variety of ways to suit the ability of the children and the nature of the event.

U8, U9, U10 or U11: Generally Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively. Some children may occasionally be selected to play above their age group where appropriate.

Years 3 and 4: All children are included in fixtures. Teams may sometimes be grouped according to ability.

Years 5 and 6: Fixtures tend to be more competitive, although opportunities are provided for children of all abilities. Stronger players may be selected for tournaments, and there may occasionally be fixtures that do not involve every child.

Teams are usually selected on ability. Attitude, effort and behaviour during training sessions and fixtures also play an important role in team selection.

Please note that the coach's decision on team selection is final.

It is common for teams to return from fixtures after school hours due to late finishes or traffic delays. The member of staff accompanying the team will liaise with the school reception team if there is a significant delay.

Please email Mr Goodman (tgoodman@priorparkschools.com) or Mrs Whyte (kwhyte@priorparkschools.com) if your child is unable to participate in sport for any reason.

Attendance at optional sports clubs is encouraged, as these provide additional opportunities for children to develop their skills and understanding of each sport.

Although clubs are generally open to all children, there may be occasions when Games staff work with specific groups in preparation for particular events. Such sessions will be by invitation only.

All children are allocated to one of the school's four houses:

Abbey • Crescent • Holburne • Milsom

Prep children take part in inter-house competitions in a variety of sports throughout the year, and the annual Sports Day takes place during the summer term.

These events are great fun and provide every child with the opportunity to represent their house with pride, enthusiasm and sportsmanship

Year 3 and 4 Games

Mondays: Collection from school at 3.45pm. Children may also be collected directly from fixtures. Return times are subject to traffic conditions.

Year 5 and 6 Games

Wednesdays: Collection from the school lawn at 3.55pm. Children may also be collected directly from fixtures. Return times are subject to traffic conditions.

Fridays: Collection from the school lawn at 3.55pm if your child is not attending an after-school sports club at Prior Park College. Collection directly from Prior Park College after clubs (promptly at 4.20pm) is also permitted.

Children who are not collected from Prior Park College after their club will be transported back to school for collection at 4.30pm.

Children will not be permitted to leave with, or be supervised by, another parent unless permission has been given by their parent or guardian and the school has been informed.

Cancellations or Amendments

Emails or Classlist notifications may occasionally be sent to communicate urgent or last-minute changes to sports fixtures, training sessions or collection arrangements.

Toby Goodman

Director of Sport, September 2026