SENIOR SCHOOL SPORT

Building on social skills, communication and teamwork.

Sport

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

The extensive physical and mental health benefits of participating in sports amplify overall well-being while establishing a profound sense of accomplishment among our students. Most importantly we pride ourselves on our commitment to inclusivity, and that is no more prevalent than in Sport, where all pupils are able to access them, regardless of their individual abilities, experience, or interests.

For our Senior School pupils, engaging in sport enables them to build on their social skills, communication and teamwork. It can also provide them with confidence and direction to commit to something in order to achieve and try their individual best to achieve goals both personal and as part of a team. 


YEARS 7-9

In Year 7-9 pupils have three hours of sport in a timetabled week, that consists of a Physical Education, Games and Swimming lesson. 


YEARS 10-11

In Year 10 and 11, once pupils are undertaking their GCSE studies, they have four hours of timetabled Sport a fortnight. This includes weekly Games and PE lessons, with Swimming on a rotation. It is important that even at this point in their studies where the pupils have started to narrow the field they are studying, they still partake in Sports as part of the curriculum to benefit their health and provide balance in their School life. 

Swimming takes place in our onsite swimming pool and Games lesson takes place at our off-site sporting facility; Coombe Dingle, a multi-sports complex the School shares in partnership with University of Bristol.


WHAT'S ON OFFER

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

With an onsite Gymnasium, Strength and Conditioning Suite, Cardio Suite, Climbing Wall, Outdoor Multi-use Games Area, School Lawn, theater/studio space and many outdoor spaces, there are multiple environments where our Senior pupils have their PE lessons. They are taught by our talented Sports teachers and coaches, and develop essential physical skills, whilst experiencing different disciplines they may not have tried before. These include; Running,Tennis, Fencing, Basketball, Pilates, Strength and Conditioning, Climbing and many more. 

Pupils also train for our annual Sport Day in the Summer Term during PE lessons, competing against each other and always aiming to break School records. Sports Day is a highlight for the pupils, parents and staff alike.

GAMES

Games lessons at Coombe Dingle take place on professional pitches and tracks. In the Autumn Term they participate in Rugby and Hockey, in the Spring Term, Football and Netball and in the Summer Term, cricket. They acquire tactical skills for these games through teamwork, good communication and practice.

FIXTURES

In line with the Games programmes pupils compete in fixtures against neighboring schools, instilling a sense of healthy competition in them, whilst developing friendships and bonds with opposite teams who may play competitively with outside of School. First and Second teams generally are made up of Sixth Form students however a number of our Senior pupils can be selected too.

SWIMMING

Swimming lessons in the Senior School encompass the second and third stage of the Swimming Programme. In Years 7-9, Progressive Talent ID programme runs,and the pupils can start to build on the fitness foundations required for competitive swimming, as well as those required for using swimming as a healthy lifestyle choice. Still very technically based, the programme will provide further opportunities at club and competitive level for those who have chosen swimming as a main sport and will develop selected athletes for the performance element of the pathway. The majority of provision for chosen swimmers will be after school clubs and partner club opportunities.

Swimmers in Year 10 and 11 now move on to partake in the last part of the programme; Elite Adaptations. This is where swimmers will begin to really train for competitive success; with access to dry land and pool slots as part of each pupil's curriculum timetable, as well as the majority of opportunities within the after school elite training programme.
Opportunities to swim are still there for those who enjoy the sport but do not wish to compete competitively too. 

Sessions are delivered within the school curriculum and after school clubs, with optional access to additional sessions with our partner Club.

Sports Scholars and Athlete Development Programmes

Sports Scholars (Year 7-Year 13) are offered unique opportunities to further develop their skills and strengths in their fields. This is through Trips to specialist sports facilities, visiting speakers, workshops and training sessions. They also take on a role as ambassadors of the School, representing Clifton High where they can. 

From Year 9, we run an Athlete Development Programme. The county or national level pupils on this course attend weekly sessions tailored to their physical and mental development, in line with their individual needs as athletes. The programme covers power, strength and conditioning, pilates and aerobic conditioning, as well as promoting a deep understanding of nutrition and sports psychology. All sessions are delivered by current practicing experts in their fields.

The School is very proud of the diversity in the sporting disciplines our pupils take part in. We work to support them to achieve success in those areas and their studies.

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Partnerships

University of Bristol

As well as sharing nearby Coombe Dingle Sports Complex with the University of Bristol, Clifton High has also established a number of sporting partnerships with the University, that run throughout the School. A comprehensive tennis partnership provides pupils with pathways into elite tennis coaching. There are ten tennis clubs a week, 3 county development squads, curricular tennis delivered by the specialist coaches to The Hive to Year 2 children. A hockey partnership is also in place, allowing our players access to university coaches and offering pathways into the University's adult sports clubs.

BRISTOL SPORT: ELITE SWIMMER SCHOLARSHIP, BRISTOL FLYERS, BRISTOL BEARS

Bristol Sport is a dynamic, reputable beacon of sporting success and professionalism bringing together multiple sports under one unified umbrella. At Clifton High we work in partnership with Bristol Sport to provide opportunities to sporting stars of the future.

The Elite Swimmer Scholarship is the first of its kind in Bristol awarded to young athletes, giving them the opportunity to marry elite, national-level coaching and first-class schooling. Since the programme began two years ago, recipients of this Scholarship have gone on to achieve national and international accolades.

Other connections extend to Bristol Sport include an affiliation with Bristol Bears rugby team, who currently have a number of Clifton High boys aged 14-18 training and playing as part of their academy teams and Bristol Flyers basketball coaches, who started training at School this year and has subsequently seen our Under 13's team crowned Junior NBA South West Champions. 

henleaze performance swimming club

Clifton High also has a unique partnership with Henleaze Performance Swimming Club that allows pupils access to the Club's outstanding coaches every day of the week. Swimming classes are aimed at pupils in Year 4 and above and Clifton High School is quickly developing a reputation as one of the best swimming schools in the region. Under the instruction of Henleaze coaches, pupils can choose to learn at participation level via the School's co-curricular club provision, and significantly as part of our elite squad which trains every evening with Henleaze Swimming Club coaches, by invitation.