Sport at Bede’s Prep

Core Sports

The longstanding reputation which Bede’s has forged for sporting excellence is firmly embedded in our Prep School as well as at senior level. Few prep schools can offer the calibre of coaching found at Bede’s Prep and these opportunities deepen year or year, with a gradually more expansive training and fixtures programme. The Team Bede’s ethos guides sporting life at Bede’s Prep in just the same way as it does at the Senior School. The core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, humility, discipline and leadership provide the cornerstone for how sport is taught at Bede’s Prep. By the time that pupils move up to the Senior School, pupils are accustomed and comfortable with how values should be applied to sports lessons, training and competitive fixtures. Sport for all is reflected through the bespoke style of teaching and coaching which enables progression and participation at every level and the holistic development of each individual. Sport and fitness at Bede’s are for all and we aim to encourage a lifelong love of sport.

Gemma Towner Head of Prep School Games

E: gemma.towner@bedes.org

As at the Senior School, we offer three Core Sports at Bede’s Prep:

Our cricket provision is extensive, offering the opportunity for pupils to train three times a week to play matches throughout the Summer Term alongside an indoor cricket programme which runs during the winter months.

Many of our most successful cricketing alumni including Luke Wells, Ollie Rayner, Archie Lenham and Ali Orr began playing cricket at Bede’s Prep before moving on to the Senior School and then onto professional playing careers.

Continuity of coaching, our year-round programme, access to top level facilities as well as to specialist support including Strength and Conditioning training are all key elements of our success in developing cricketing talent.

We participate in a highly competitive fixture programme against other top cricketing schools across the country and run sufficient teams such that all girls and boys who want to compete for their school can do so. The programme is led by former professionals Alan Wells, Sarah Taylor and Neil Lenham.

Football

Pupils at Bede’s Prep play football through the entire Autumn term (boys) and Spring Terms (girls) with training twice a week and fixtures on Wednesdays or Saturdays. There are also opportunities in Year 7 and 8 to trial with the Junior Football Academy, run in conjunction with Swerve Soccer, which offers top level weekly coaching and trains on a Thursday evening.

Coaching is led by Football Specialist and Ex Chelsea player Kellie Larkin, Director of Football (UEFA A and ISFA coach) David Caryer, supported by ex-professional Dan Harding (Ipswich Town, BHA, Southampton) and Director of Swerve Football Academy, Oliver Davies. This integrated approach to coaching supports players as they transition up to the Senior School; by the time pupils join the Senior School our coaching team will have been able to put in place individualised action plans. The Junior Academy also competes against other local academies and this combination of training and fixtures provides a singular and foundational opportunity for young players.

The Hockey Programme at Bede’s Prep School is closely aligned with the Senior School in terms of coaching strategy and philosophy. Our girls teams are coached by our staff in the Sussex Junior Development League through club side Priory Lemurs which runs on Saturdays throughout the winter against a host of Sussex sides.

The Boys Hockey Programme is split between seniors and juniors with training held during Monday and Tuesday Activities sessions as well as on Fridays. During the Spring Term hockey is also played during Games lessons as well as in Friday Activities. Coaching is led by hockey specialist Pat Skinner, Wales Goalkeeper and performance analyst, Theo Dowse and Brighton Junior development coach Jon Williams.

Competitive Sports

Tennis

Tennis coaching takes place throughout the year at Bede’s Prep School. All levels are catered for, including elite, development and club levels. Coaching is led by Level 4 LTA coach, Jane Nash, with assistance from Junior National and Great Britain player, Francesca Scollo.

Group coaching take place during the school day with every year group receiving a one-hour group coaching lesson each week. In addition, there is an early morning Team Tennis coaching session by invitation. Academy training is available year-round at an extra cost.

We also aim to offer an annual tennis tour to Spain, trip to Wimbledon and a parent/child tournament as well the opportunity to play in Sussex County Championships, LTA Team Tennis Schools Event and the Bede’s Schools Championships.

Basketball

There is the opportunity for Bede’s Prep pupils to be coached by the Senior School coach who has 30 years of experience playing and coaching basketball. Basketball is taught as part of the PE curriculum across one half term.

Netball

Netball training and fixtures are played throughout the Spring Term, with preseason training also offered during the Autumn Term. Pupils at the Prep School also have access to our Level 2 accredited coach based at the Senior School.

Swimming

Children from Reception through to Year 6 enjoy weekly swimming classes, with Years 7 and 8 swimming on a fortnightly timetable. In addition to the swimming programme offered as part of the curriculum, we offer five swimming squad training sessions as well as activities including lifesaving, diving, kayaking, snorkeling and water polo.