Subjects: Sport & PE

Overview 

Our aim is to develop and encourage learning through a varied programme of physical activities. As PE staff we are keen to foster a lifelong love for sport and enthuse further participation within students at RHS Bath. For details of our PE and Sport staff please see our fixtures webpage.

Key stage 3 sees the teaching of basic skills to year 7 and years 8 and 9 extending these to develop tactical awareness of game play for pupils to take through to KS4. Year 7 students are taught in their class groups whereas years 8 and 9 are split into a lower and higher ability group that are set according to the girls' choice. With the desire to ensure each pupil is happy within their group, girls' physical activity is a priority for us and girls can choose to move across the ability groups within the year.

Major games are combined within the term alongside an aesthetic or athletic activity within the year. An example of this would be hockey combined with dance, of which each year group receive a one hour lesson each week.

Key stage 4 sees an extension to the major games taught, with the introduction of activities such as basketball and badminton. It is hoped that girls will extend their knowledge of different activity areas and continue their enjoyment and active participation in physical activity.

GCSE Physical Education

We study AQA examination board and consistently produce excellent results, 2009 results of 6 A*, 5 A and one B grade. A popular option, the course consists of 60% practical in which students submit four activities that can include dance, swimming, riding, skiing and trampolining in addition to other activity areas. Theory modules studied include socio-cultural areas, alongside media and sponsorship in sport, and physiology and psychology. The GCSE comprises of three hours of practical teaching and two of theory teaching, each fortnight.

FACILITIES

Sports Hall 

We are fortunate to have a well-equipped sports hall with two changing rooms, viewing gallery and sports studio teaching area/dance space. This is used regularly for trampolining, badminton, netball, basketball, gymnastics, dance, indoor athletics and indoor hockey by both senior and junior pupils.

Gym/Dance Studio

This year we are developing a school gymnasium furnished with Technogym and for those keen on their training we have managed to secure the much publicised ‘Wave' machine! This is soon to have handweights, conditioning equipment and hopefully flat screens added so watch this space on the gym! The gym is flanked on either side with equal dimension rooms, one being a dance studio and the other, the PE office.

Swimming Pool

A beautiful location for an outdoor heated pool, which is used for lessons, clubs and galas from May to October.  It is also used in the evenings by boarders and we host courses in both life-guarding and scuba.

Astro-Turf

This is extensively used for hockey and tennis.

Reservoir Courts

This hard court area, houses three tennis courts and two netball courts.

Front Courts

Resurfaced recently, this area has the enviable situation to the right of the front drive, attracting many supporters! The facility enables two netball courts and three tennis courts which provide all year round action in winter and summer sports.

Churchill Playing Fields

Our spacious fields set in 6 acres of countryside hosts 6 rounders pitches and a full size 400m running track with a multi-use pavilion.

Sports teams and tours 

The Physical Education department encourage all students to participate in physical activity and provide opportunities for this. In addition to this, we provide a mentoring programme for particularly talented individuals and opportunities for students to represent the school in a range of sports, including athletics, hockey, netball, rounders, swimming and tennis. 

We have an extremely full schedule of fixtures throughout the year, including competitions run by the Girls' Day School Trust for all its member schools. Fixtures are central to school life where each team can expect a weekly fixture that primarily take place on Saturday mornings with mid-week training after school. The fixtures programme sees students compete with their own year group for the majority of their matches, however major competitions are open to trial and selection.

Trips are run on a regular basis within the UK, usually based around a competition. Multi sports tours overseas further extend our players. Recent tours have included destinations such as Barbados, arcelona and South Africa.

Club Links

Many students at RHSB attend sports clubs outside school and are actively encouraged by PE staff to do so. Whilst there are many opportunities within the schools activities programme, posters are displayed and letters sent home with details of local clubs.

Bath Buccanneers and City of Bath Hockey Clubs

There are two hockey clubs to choose from in Bath, with others in the surrounding areas. Bath Buccanneers is the larger of the two, with a competition-based progressional junior programme, they train at Bath University. City of Bath is a smaller, yet equally welcoming club who train at Kingswood upper astros and is probably more convenient for those on the Lansdown side of Bath. We have links with both clubs and members of staff that play at each.

Bath Netball Club

Taking place at the University on Wednesday evenings, many of our netball players attend the well-run and successful Bath Netball Club.

Bath University

We are lucky to be able to use the prestigious Bath University Sports Training Village and facilities. During the Winter we use the astro-turf for hockey practices, and in the Summer our athletes use the 400m track and facilities. Many pupils make use of the vast array of sports clubs that are available at the university and are encouraged to approach PE staff for details.

Lansdown Tennis and Squash Club

The Royal High School is ideally situated next door to Lansdown Tennis and Squash Club, where pupils make use of the squash courts and fantastic floodlit tennis facilities often pursuing individual coaching with the experienced coaches. The club is currently developing an on-site gymnasium that pupils at RHS will be able to make use of. We have a reciprocal link with the club where we are able to overflow onto their courts and vice versa at busy times.

Bath Rugby Club

This link gradually become stronger throughout last year, with a Bath player coming in to school to give the pupils some tag rugby coaching. Many pupils have shown an interest in rugby and we have now included this within KS4 PE

Bath Lacrosse Club and Bath Spa Badminton Club

These clubs now use our sports hall in the evenings, in return RHS pupils can attend these clubs free of charge.