The School's aim is to develop all pupils’ sporting ability to the full by providing a diverse, challenging, multi-sport experience at all ages and across all abilities. Sport can help to develop confidence and a positive mental attitude that permeates all aspects of a child's life. We hope to develop a love of sport that will last our children a lifetime. In offering such a wide range of sports we feel confident that the school has something for every ability and interest. We recognise the important mental and physical benefits that come with regular play and competition. Equally, we understand the development of fundamental skills that emerge by participating and competing in sport that can help children achieve their goals irrespective of where their paths may take them after they have left St John's.
The School's Sports Department is progressive and the staff have been exploring what a forward thinking school-sport system looks like in light of the pandemic. The current situation has provided a convenient opportunity for the School to take a further step in answering the question, 'How do you hold onto the glory of prep school sport whilst ensuring student well-being, inclusivity and a culture of health and fitness are at the centre of delivery?' Assistant Head of Games, Mr David Millward, explains, "With no fixtures due to take place before half term, we have been able to explore and evolve a curriculum with a subtle shift in focus. We are now settling into the routine of this term and have placed a greater importance on developing fundamental movement skills and physical literacy. The aim is to give pupils the tools necessary to take further ownership of their individual physical development. Ask a St John’s child to show you a bear crawl and hopefully you’ll get a great demonstration! As further information floods through from national governing bodies we will be adjusting and developing our curriculum. We want to ensure that the intensity of high performance sport is not lost, whilst also looking to provide quality alternatives where necessary."
As national guidelines have stipulated how sports can be carried out safely in schools, sport has changed and competitions are based around a skill circuit or skill challenges which involve lots of running and fitness exercises related to that sport. It might not be the rugby, hockey and netball the children are accustomed to but the children are involved in each sport by breaking them down further and making sure the focus is on the skills associated. In addition, the staff have developed new initiatives which will be implemented throughout the term, such as St John’s Parkrun, ultimate frisbee and a newly devised Inter-House competition.
