Prep School Sport

Sunday Times Schools Guide 2025 - Independent Secondary School of the Year North West

Supporting a Healthy and Active Lifestyle

We believe that participation in sports is essential for the health and well-being of our pupils, fostering lifelong habits that promote an active and healthy lifestyle. Pupils take part in 4 hours of Games and PE lessons each week, significantly exceeding the time allocated in state schools.

Pupils benefit from the use of the wider School’s Sports facilities during games and PE lessons including astro-turf facilities at McAllester Field. As pupils progress they benefit from coaching from specialist sport staff in Seniors and external coaches to develop their skills further.

Pupils take part in fixtures from Year 3 upwards and fixtures see pupils competing against their peers from other independent schools across the North West region as well as local primary schools.  As they progress through the years the number and range of fixtures increases.  The majority of fixtures take part on weekday afternoons and are scheduled, wherever possible, to take place during Games lessons.

In Year 6, there are opportunities for children to experience Football and Netball tours to various parts of the country including Blackpool and London.
Prep pupils take part in 4 hours of timetabled lessons each week which consist of:

Games lessons

Pupils take part in two 1hr 20 minute lessons per week.  Games lessons concentrate on skills development for team games and pupils play against peers from their year group

PE Lessons

Pupils take part in 1 x 1hr 20 minute lesson per week.  PE lessons are for individual class groups and focus on sports such as gymnastics and athletics.

Sports Facilities

Pupils benefit from being part of a wider school and enjoy access to a wide range of facilities that go well beyond those typically found in primary schools. As children enter Juniors Games Lessons take part at McAllester Field, where students learn and develop their skills on the high-quality facilities.

Facilities include:
Beresford Road Site: Netball Courts / Hockey Pitch / Lacrosse Pitch / Cricket Pitches / Cricket Nets / Athletics Track / Athletics Area including High Jump, Long Jump
McAllester Field Site: Rugby Pitches / Football Pitches / Flood-lit all-weather Hockey/Lacrosse Pitch / Cricket Pitch / Tennis Co

McAllester Field Sports Facilities

Sports Played

Pupils get to play a wider variety of sports in lessons and also have the opportunity to take part in additional lunchtime and after-school clubs in sports that they enjoy and wish to further develop in.

Winter Sports: Rugby / Netball / Lacrosse / Hockey / Football
Summer Sports: Athletics / Badminton / Cross Country / Rounders

Our younger pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 2, enjoy Ball Games / Dance / Gym Work.

Fixtures

From Year 3 onwards, pupils participate in competitive fixtures against peers from other independent schools across the North West, as well as local primary schools. As they advance through the school, both the number and variety of fixtures increase. Most fixtures are held on weekday afternoons and are scheduled, whenever possible, to coincide with Games lessons.

Sports Days

We host annual Sports Days from Pre-Prep upwards, during which children take part in a wide range of sports and represent their School House. The friendly competition makes for an enjoyable and lively afternoon for all of those taking part as well as for friends and family who support from the sidelines.

Sports Clubs & Activities

There are a wide variety of clubs on offer through the Co-Curricular Clubs and Activities programme in Prep.

Prep School Clubs & Activities

Residential Adventure & Activity Holidays

Pupils in Years 3,4,5 and 6 attend residential adventure and activity holidays with their friends where they get to experience a wide range of activities including: abseiling, climbing, kayaking, archery and zip-wires. The trips are an excellent opportunity to build confidence, aid independence and create memories with their friends.

Prep School Trips & Visits
“HMC schools provide unrivalled co-curricular time – at least double the national average – enabling our pupils to develop their talents.” HMC – Association of Leading Independent Schools

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Sixth Form Options Evening

-Thursday 30th January 2025 – 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Senior Assessment Days

-September 2025 Entry (Year 6 applicants) – 20th, 21st & 22nd January 2025

Prep Taster Days

Various dates available throughout January and February 2025