Sport
Sport is a fundamental part of the curriculum for children in Reception through to Year 8. There is a comprehensive PE Programme and in Games children enjoy the major team sports of Rugby, Football, Hockey, Tennis and Cricket for boys and Hockey, Netball, Tennis and Cricket for girls.
Witham Hall is a beautiful place, and we are lucky to have outstanding sports facilities including a brand new Sports Centre, complete with fitness suite, changing facilities, a dance studio and multi-functional sports hall, a full-sized Astroturf, excellent football and rugby pitches, hard tennis courts and netball courts, a squash court, a nine-hole golf course, a magnificent grass cricket wicket, an all-weather wicket, cricket nets (indoors and outdoors). There are many other sports played at competition level and these include Athletics, Cross-Country, Biathlon, Tennis, Squash, Equestrian and Golf amongst others.
The fixture list for major teams is full and competitive for all abilities, with parents always welcome to attend. School matches generate considerable support and excitement and Witham match teas are renowned across the region!
Aims of Physical Education and Games
We aim to present PE and Games in such a way that each activity will be fun, which will lead to achievement and progress, which in turn brings recognition and promotes self-worth.
Specifically, we aim to:
Ensure all our children, through their experiences at Witham Hall, take with them a love of sport and physical activity which will serve them throughout their lives.
Develop an attitude of mind that is an important part of sporting success: self-discipline; physical and mental commitment; a desire to win, yet the ability to lose gracefully and a respect for one’s opponents and for authority.
Encourage team sports in the belief that it is important for children to learn to work as part of a group and in doing so to be unselfish and supportive and to develop the team spirit which is vital, not only in sport, but also within life generally.
Provide all pupils with the coaching, training and match opportunities which will allow natural talent to develop and provide a skill foundation for future development. All children will have similar opportunities and be included in matches at an appropriate level feeling equally valued.
IAPS Codes of Practice
Witham Hall is a member of IAPS (the Independent Association of Prep Schools) and our sports fixtures revolve around playing matches against other IAPS schools as well as local senior schools, other small private schools and local state schools. IAPS organise National Competitions at U11, U12 and U13 levels which are open to all IAPS schools. Competitions include Hockey, Netball, Athletics, Cross Country, Squash and Tennis among others. Please see the schools achievements in these competitions when you look at our boys’ and girls’ sports’ pages.
As a member school we have been asked by IAPS to remind staff, pupils and parents of the IAPS guidelines associated with coaching, playing, spectating and parental support with regards to sports fixtures. See links below.
