Wealden Times | WT187 | September 2017 | Education supplement inside

WT Education Supplement
Fun & Games
WT speaks to five schools from across the South East to find out more about the sporting opportunities on offer
Photo courtesy of Cranbrook School, Kent
Manor House School, Bookham, Surrey
What variety of sports are available? The students at Manor
House School are taught Netball, Hockey, Cross Country,
Gymnastics, Swimming, Rounders, Tennis, and Athletics both
in lessons and as extra curricular activities and school teams.
We also offer Dance, Zumba, Fitness, Football,
Volleyball, Handball, Basketball, Table Tennis,
Lacrosse, Touch Rugby and Badminton.
Is there anything out of the ordinary that pupils can try?
The older girls are allowed to play ultimate Frisbee,
Handball and Lacrosse. Manor House has just started
running Triathlons and this is open to all ages.
In the summer term some of the girls had golf lessons
from coaches at Tyrrells Wood golf club; they could
well run again next year if the interest continues.
What proves to be most popular? Netball, Hockey, Athletics,
Rounders, Gymnastics, Cross Country, Tennis and Swimming
are the most popular. The girls get the chance to play each
other and against many local schools. We offer coaching as
well as matches in order to develop skills and match play.
Do teams get the chance to travel to fixtures/matches
both locally and abroad? Girls from Year 3-11 have
the opportunity to take part in matches and they
generally travel up to half an hour. On occasion we do go
further afield; for example we had girls in the National
Preparatory Schools Athletics finals in Birmingham.
We are currently looking into offering sports tours abroad.
How can skills developed through participating in
sports transfer to other areas of academic life?
Participating in sport gives the girls a sense of
achievement, which can raise their self-esteem. We
have seen their school work and relationships improve
many times due to the increased confidence they have
gained from being successful or achieving in sport.
Our girls are always encouraged to have fun and
enjoy sport regardless of ability. They leave us happy
which sets them up for their next lesson.
How do you encourage a healthy and active lifestyle?
All of the girls at Manor House School are encouraged to join
in the lessons, whatever their age or ability, as a result we have
very few girls who do not want to be part of the buzz in sport.
We talk a lot about how sport helps a healthy lifestyle as being
active helps the brain and develops social skills. In fitness we
discuss how sports help keep a healthy mind and body and
we focus on getting our heart, lungs and muscles strong.
For more information about Manor House’s extra-curricular
clubs provision and how to apply for an individual sports
scholarship see manorhouseschool.org/admissions
17 wealdentimes.co.uk