Physical Education (and Sport)

Physical Education at Francis Holland is about teaching pupils a broad, balanced sports programme which is tailored to each individual and prepares children for a lifelong involvement and love for sport and physical activity.

We aim to promote confidence, health and wellbeing through a comprehensive programme of physical activities. Our sports programme complements our philosophy and encourages all pupils to try something new and develop their talents whilst enabling many pupils to compete against some of the top schools in London.

Co-Curricular

The PE Department runs a number of clubs, catering for a range of sporting interests and sporting abilities.

The girls have access to sport on a daily basis at FHS. The Physical Education Programme encourages all girls to train before school at 7.05am. The attendance is extremely encouraging at the early morning sessions and there is often in excess of 170 girls being trained each week, before the school day begins.

For girls who are or who wish to be in school teams, there are Netball, Hockey, Swimming, Cross-Country, Tennis, Athletics and Rounders squad practices.

Athletics training starts in the Spring Term and continues throughout the Summer Term. Girls are invited to attend to improve fitness or technique.

There is a Dance Club for all year groups each week. The club is run by an experienced specialist teacher and the girls really enjoy learning new dance routines and showing them to parents and friends at the annual Gym and Dance Display. Please see below for our latest Gym and Dance Display highlights.

Year 11-13 Running Club takes place every Friday and pupils leave from the OSH and head for Hyde Park.

The girls also have access to Horse Riding, Football, Rowing, Self-Defence and Yoga clubs throughout the year.

Keep up-to-date with fixtures and sports news using our dedicated sports website or by checking out our Sport Instagram.

Key Stage 3

We aim to apply and extend existing skills within a variety of activities. There is an additional emphasis on physical fitness and its role in a healthy lifestyle. Pupils participate in a broad curriculum, not only offering games lessons in netball, hockey, cricket and football but, also experiencing activities such as gymnastics, BoxFit, pilates, dance, athletics, swimming and cross country.

Key Stage 4

Our focus is to promote healthy living through general fitness sessions and to introduce pupils to new activities. This develops links with local agencies and encourages the girls to maintain their interest outside curriculum time.

GCSE

Physical Education at GCSE level is an exciting and challenging subject which aims to develop practical and theoretical competence, and to promote lifelong sporting participation and a love of sport. Pupils acquire an important understanding of healthy and active lifestyles. They also learn about sports physiology and participation levels, investigating the human body before, during and after exercise.

The course (OCR) involves theory and practical elements. The theory components explore diet and health, principles of training and safety aspects of physical exercise. Pupils are assessed in three practical activities which can include those in which they participate externally, such as dance, skiing or horse-riding.

GCSE Physical Education explores the importance of a healthy, active and happy lifestyle, which underpins success in any career and in life. The challenging and stimulating theoretical and practical work often inspires pupils to pursue their love of sport to a higher level. It will also help pupils to prepare and execute sport and specific training programmes mastered to their specific needs. Sports Science is a very popular degree course at university. There are many careers which can involve sport including teaching, journalism and branches of the medical and legal professions.

Sixth Form

Students in the Sixth Form participate in a weekly games afternoon in a variety of sports including boxing, strength training, judo, gym, Pilates and spinning. The PE Department also encourages competitive sport and many many students compete in fixtures against London schools. The focus of the Autumn term is netball, the Spring term is netball and hockey and the Summer term is cricket, athletics and tennis. Swimming takes place all year round allowing students to swim before school once a week.

Sport Scholarship

11+ Sport scholarships are available to girls entering Year 7 who demonstrate excellent achievement and success, either as an all-rounder or in particular disciplines. After a written application, a selection of girls are invited to a scholarship assessment day. More information is available here.

Competitions

Throughout the year, pupils participate in inter-house competitions in hockey, netball, rounders and tennis, culminating with the swimming gala and sports day. These are fantastic whole-school events which encourage a sense of identity within the houses, competing against girls in different year groups.

Staff

The Director of Sport is Miss G Newsome whilst Miss A Allen is the Head of Senior Games. Miss Newsome is ably supported by Miss A Caister, Mrs E Holley, Miss L James and Miss M McKinley. There are also specialist coaches employed for specific sports. The department is highly qualified in all areas of the curriculum and has coaching and sporting representative honours from county to international level.

Gym and Dance Display 2023 – Highlights