Sport and P.E. at the Oratory Prep School
Another try for the OPS!!!
Early Years
In the early years, particular emphasis is placed on the children's enjoyment of and participation in a wide range of physical activities, as specialist coaches help them to develop the necessary skills required for the sports available.
For the boys, Rugby is played in the autumn term, together with a wide range of other sports which take place in the sports hall. Football follows in the spring and Cricket in the summer. The girls play Hockey, Netball and Rounders respectively in the three terms. With the completion of our indoor swimming pool, swimming will be taught throughout the school year. Athletics is also part of the Physical Education programme in the summer term for both boys and girls.
Sport & Games
In our extensive grounds there are 6 rugby pitches and 5 cricket pitches, one of which is artificial. There are four tennis courts, three of which are based on astroturf, and this astro is also useful for other sports' practices, as well as netball and hockey matches.
There is a multi purpose sports' hall. All pupils get one lesson of PE weekly, and the hall is also used by a gymnastics club as well as the boarders in the evenings. The hall is also used for formal practices in the winter months.
Badminton, chess, croquet, golf, judo, and table tennis are played recreationally during the year, with occasional matches.
Work within the Physical Education Department is designed to support, attribute and compliment the aims and overall ethos of the school.
The principle aim of the school is to provide an education that meets the needs of each individual and allow them to achieve their full potential.
The physical education curriculum offers a comprehensive range of experiences to meet the needs of individual pupils and encourage and maximise the activity involvement by all pupils.
A strong extra-curricular programme is a fundamental part of the ethos of the school, providing every pupil with the opportunity of being involved in sport at whatever level but also giving the talented pupil the opportunity to strive for the highest levels of excellence. With this comes the enhancement of the personal qualities of sportsmanship, dedication and team spirit.
It is intended that the programme offered would encourage an attitude conducive to being involved in an active and healthy life style, also develop confidence, tolerance and an overall appreciation of their limitations and those of others, and the importance of being able to co-operate so as to get the best out of each and everyone.
Along with demanding the highest standards of participation and levels of achievement the Department would be continually assessing other aspects of a pupil's progress. An ability to listen and learn, a commitment to improve standards, an application to tasks set, an ability to co-operate and work with others and personal organisation and hygiene are monitored and reported upon in terms of their attitude to knowledge, quality of work and development of knowledge throughout the year.
Main Aims
The aims of the sports programme at the Oratory Preparatory School are outlined below:
- To provide equal opportunities regardless of ability.
- To develop physical co-ordination and competence.
- To develop hand/eye co-ordination.
- Promote physical fitness.
- Develop individual skills.
- Develop team spirit and identity.
- Develop artistic and aesthetic appreciation through movement.
- Assist social development with others either individual or larger groups.
- Promote positive attitudes towards health and fitness.
- Introduce a wide variety of sports from which to build a platform for later life.
