Senior School Sport | Competitive & Inclusive Sport For All | Clifton High School

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORT 

Sport is not only a social and positive part of daily life at Clifton High School, but it also stands as a dynamic force that evokes a sense of joy and belonging within our close-knit community.

Mr Shane Cloete - Director of Sport

Sport remains a central part of daily life in the Senior School, providing opportunities to develop teamwork, communication, personal direction and a strong sense of School identity and pride. It continues to champion the inclusive ‘Sport for All’ ethos while providing clear opportunities for pupils who wish to pursue sport competitively.

Our structured sports curriculum includes:

Years 7 to 11: three hours of timetabled sport each week, incorporating Physical Education, Swimming and Games   Years 10 to 11: three hours of timetabled sports each week, incorporating Physical Education and Sport lessons, with swimming delivered through a carousel structure to support pupils in maintaining a healthy balance between sport and GCSE studies

 

 

 

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Physical Education (PE)

Specialist-led, curriculum-based PE lessons expand in the Senior School to include:

Cross-country   Fencing   Climbing   Basketball

Tennis   Pilates   Strength and conditioning

 

 

 

Pupils have access to outstanding on-site facilities including the gymnasium, conditioning suite, cardio studio and climbing wall.  

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Games Lessons

Specialist-led, curriculum-based PE lessons expand in the Senior School to include:

Autumn/Winter: Rugby and Hockey   Spring/Summer: Cricket and Athletics   Winter/Spring: Football and Netball

 

 

 

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Tennis Lessons

Tennis becomes part of the PE curriculum in Years 7–10, alongside opportunities to represent the School through our competitive tennis teams and access further coaching before or after the School day. With specialist coaching and a strong competitive programme, including county-level success, talented players are encouraged to pursue their potential, with high-performing athletes able to access our Athletic Development Programme (ADP).  

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Athletic Development Programme

Pupils who demonstrate enjoyment and aptitude in a particular sporting discipline may be selected for Clifton High School’s Athletic Development Programme (ADP), which complements the PE curriculum and Swimming Programme.

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Senior School Swimming

All Senior School pupils, whatever their level or motivation, are encouraged to enjoy the sport of swimming, whether they prefer to swim competitively or for enjoyment.  

We administer the second and third stages of the National Swimming Programme, which forms part of our Progressive Talent ID programme in Years 7 to 9. This focuses on the fitness foundations required for swimming, reinforcing technical skills for those who have chosen swimming as a main sport or for selected athletes who will navigate the performance pathway.  

Swimming lessons are delivered within the School curriculum, with much of the provision being through after-School clubs and in association with our partner club, Bristol Henleaze Swimming Club.  

In Year 10 and 11, swimmers advance to the final stages of the Progressive Talent ID programme, namely Elite Adaptations. This level of training aims at competitive success, with dry land training and pool slots as part of their curriculum timetable or within the after-School Elite Training programme.  

Senior School swimming galas are a highlight of the Clifton High sporting calendar and capture the ‘Sport for All’ ethos. Bringing pupils together to develop their confidence, teamwork and competitive spirit, galas encourage pupils to develop their race skills, compete for personal bests or proudly represent their House.  

In recent years, pupils have competed at regional, national and international level, with former pupils having achieved Olympic success.