Girls' P.E.

Aims of the department

At R.G.S. we aim to provide enjoyment, pleasure and personal satisfaction through a wide variety of sports. We feel that not only is it important to encourage potential in P.E. at whatever standard, but that the development in the belief in the physiological value of exercise to improve physical fitness and well being is tantamount to the development of a well co-ordinated and confident person. Social awareness, tolerance and reliability are life skills important to living and working in the mix of society. We believe that by developing the ability to plan, perform and evaluate, we are able to provide a platform to encourage self worth and value the contribution of others.

Facing challenging situations and the development of qualities such as perseverance, initiative and endurance are addressed in the learning of technical skills and experiencing different roles in a variety of physical activities. This is further enhanced by a residential course in Outdoor Education undertaken by year 9 pupils.

The wide and varied programme offered to the girls throughout their school years aims to encourage post school participation in physical activities, promoting a healthy and stimulating life style for their future.

Key Stage 3

In Years 7 + 8 our pupils are time-tabled for two single (40min) and one double lesson (80 min).

During the winter terms, the single lessons are for gymnastics, netball and swimming and the double lessons are for hockey with small blocks of cross country running and country dancing. In the summer they have tennis, rounders and athletics lessons.

In Year 9 the time available for the above activities is reduced to one single and one double lesson but they gain a very important residential week at Bewerley Park Outdoor Education Centre.

Throughout Key Stage Three our courses more than adequately cover the requirements for the National Curriculum, developing the girls’ abilities to plan, perform and evaluate in all their activities. The staff monitor their progress continually through observation during lessons, with particular emphasis on attained standards at the end of each season. Understanding of basic rules for winter games is supported by a written test in Yr. 8. Times are recorded for performances in swimming, cross country running and athletics and these can be used by the girls to note their progress through the school and to compare with national standards on charts/tables provided. In the spring term Yr. 9 girls are mentored, giving advice and encouragement on how they might improve their KS3 assessment levels. The residential week before Easter is particularly valuable in providing different ways for developing teamwork/citizenship skills and the de-briefs held at the end of this course are very helpful.

Year 9 undertaking Gorge Walk at Howstean and canoeing on River Ure

Key Stage 4

Years 10 + 11 have one single lesson and one double as in Yr. 9. Short courses to introduce volleyball and badminton replace the gymnastics lessons and these prove to be very popular despite the problems of playing in a small gymnasium.

In Yr.11 the girls are able to choose their activity in the double lesson.

In all the activities at KS4, we try to widen the roles undertaken, providing more opportunities for umpiring and coaching.

Assessments are through continuous observation and discussion between staff.

6th Year

P.E. in the sixth form is now voluntary in that girls decide at the start of the term which activity they wish to follow. Choices in the winter terms are from hockey, netball and swimming and in summer from tennis, cricket, athletics and rounders.

In addition, courses have been made available ‘out of time-table’ for self defence (5 th + 6 th yr) and for the R.L.S.S. Pool Lifeguard Certificate.

Extra Curricular Activities

At R.G.S. education does not stop at the end of lessons. We encourage all girls to develop their talents and abilities through an extensive extra curricular activities programme.

Activities in lunch hour and after school this year for:

Hockey (U12,U13,U14, U15, U16 + U18)
Netball (U12, U13 and Seniors)
Gymnastics Club (U12 -> U18)
Swimming Club (U12->U18, and Improvers Club)
Tennis (U12,U13,U14, U15, U16 + U18)
Rounders (U12,U13,U14, U15, U16 + U18)
Athletics clubs (U12)
High Jump (all ages)
Hurdles + long jump (all ages)
Evening practice for track + field events (all ages)
Football (U12->U16)

Our practices are open to all girls but a full fixture list is organized for the more able to represent the school in friendly inter-school matches. Those with particular ability are encouraged to progress through trials to represent the area and county, with the possible progression to national level sport.

Last year our teams were area champions in Hockey at U12, U13 and 14 age groups, in Athletics at U12 and U13 age groups (only ages able to be entered this yr.) with seventeen individual champions, in Cross Country at U12, U13 and U16 age groups.

U14 Squad - Area Champions 2005-6

All girls are encouraged to take part within school in Inter-House fixtures in most of our sports at both junior and senior age groups, with the Swimming Sports and Sports Day being full school events.

Girls in Yr.10/11 are given the opportunity to work towards the Junior Sports Leadership Award.

Links have been established with local clubs/groups in hockey, netball, tennis, rounders and athletics and we try to facilitate the progress of our youngsters in other sports ie Pony Club events, triathlons, orienteering, golf, mountain biking, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing.

Our annual hockey fixture before Christmas with The Old Riponians is a popular event and last year we introduced an Old Riponians Tennis Tournament which we hope to maintain each July.

Old Riponians Hockey Squad 2005

Old Riponians Tennis 2005

Facilities

Outdoor:

• Hockey - Red gras pitch, small grass pitch, and two grass training areas
• Netball - Three courts (tarmac)
• Rounders - Three pitches on red gras, two on grass
• Tennis - Six courts (with tarmac surface which drains very quickly after rain)
• Athletics - Eight lane 400m grass track, twelve lanes for 100m on grass
• Six lane 100m hurdles track on red gras
• Three long jump pits
• High jump landing area
• Javelin, discus and shot throwing areas

Indoors

• Gymnasium
• Swimming pool - excellent teaching pool