Overall Policies for staff and parents - with rowing kit
Aims of the Physical Education Department
INTRODUCTION
The following information is intended to detail the approach to Physical Education at Lady Eleanor Holles School and provides PE teachers, staff and parents with the day-to-day information needed to enable sport to function safely, efficiently and effectively.
PHILOSOPHY
‘Hope Favours the Bold’
Physical Education has a unique contribution to make to the education of the individual, a learning process that will start early in the life of the child and which will hopefully continue to further a healthy and active lifestyle in adulthood. We therefore have a responsibility to ensure that pupils are encouraged to participate in Physical Education and continue to develop healthy, active lifestyles when they have left school.
The Physical Education department believes that all pupils should be able to recognise and achieve success in this subject. Accordingly, success is measured by personal development and not solely by achievement.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
“Your vision of where or who you want to be is the greatest asset you have. Without having a goal it's difficult to score.”
A spirational
S upportive
P roud
I nclusive
R espect
E njoyment
The Sports department aims to provide an enjoyable, challenging and balanced programme, with opportunities for all pupils to develop physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Through the teaching of the Sports department, it is our aim that each pupil will increase their knowledge, understanding and performance of activities covered. The student will strive to reach their full potential within the physical limits of their own body and enjoy all aspects of Physical Education and an active lifestyle. It is hoped that they will be well prepared for each lesson, participate fully, enthusiastically and with enjoyment. That they will be physically challenged and mentally stimulated, learning and understanding the rules, safety and the etiquette of each area.
Through this, each pupil should develop team and class spirit, a positive attitude, the ability to cope with success and failure, an appreciation of fair play and promote qualities such as courage, perseverance, and determination. Pupils are encouraged to see themselves as individuals
Encouragement and praise will be given to each pupil, showing sympathetic understanding to pupils of all abilities. Lessons will allow for differences in abilities, aptitudes and needs of all the pupils. They should be encouraged to respond at different levels, by either input or outcome, depending upon their understanding of the task, previous experience and levels of skill, and they should make progress irrespective of their abilities. Demonstration should be used to amplify learning and develop understanding, by all, not just the gifted.
A good balance of activities will be provided to enable pupils to have a good grounding in a wide range of activities. The lessons taught should be lively and purposeful.
Sports Department Curriculum Aims
These will be instilled in our pupils through our teaching.
v Develop communication and socialisation skills
v Encourage a strong moral code, with respect and consideration for others
v Develop the ability of each pupil to organise and use equipment and apparatus
v Gain an understanding of safety factors.
v Work within a team and as an individual.
v Champion others’ achievements and well as their own.
LEH Sports Kit
The student's sports kit is supplied through School Blazer and the list is as follows:
Athletics
Gymnastics
Trampolining
Dance
Indoor Games Kit
Warm weather
White polo
Black shorts or leggings
White socks, outdoor trainers and/or spikes
White polo, black shorts, leggings or leotard
White polo
Red skort, black shorts or black leggings
White socks, indoor trainers
White socks or red socks
Indoor trainers - lacrosse
Outdoor Games Kit
Swimming
White polo
Red skort or black shorts
Mid-layer
Netball - white socks and outdoor
trainers
Lacrosse - red socks, boots and/or trainers and mouthguards
Shin pads (football)
Black and red LEH costume or suitable plain black costume
Rash vest and/or leggings
Swimming hat
Rowing
**Rowing Kit provided by RivalKit. Link will be sent to parents.
LEH Boat Club (LEHBC) all-in-one
White short-sleeve t-shirt/base layer
Additional kit for cold weather
Red tracksuit bottoms or black leggings
Mid-layer
White socks, outdoor trainers and/or spikes
LEH base layers
N/A
Mid-layer
Red tracksuit bottoms or black leggings
Mid-layer
Netball - white socks, trainers
Lacrosse - red socks, boots/trainers
LEH base layers
N/A
LEHBC Splash Jacket (optional) Black leggings
For pupils who are selected to play in our netball and lacrosse teams, there will be expectations of purchasing further sportswear items in certain year groups.
For netball: netball dresses are worn for team members starting in Lower 5.
For lacrosse: lacrosse shirts with numbers are worn for team members starting in Upper 4.
These items are at an additional cost to parents and information will be sent out in the Summer Term before the start of the next academic year.
Pupils excused on medical grounds
All pupils are expected to take part in lessons if they are in school. If not, then a letter or email written and sent by the parent prior to the lesson is required – this must be addressed/sent to the teacher of the pupil. If a letter/email is not received before the lesson, then it is up to the discretion of the teacher as to whether the pupil takes part or not. Those that complain of feeling unwell but have no letter are usually asked to go and see the School Nurse or get changed and see how the lesson progresses.
Dependent on the activity and at the discretion of the member of the staff, there is an expectation that all pupils who cannot take part in sports activities still get changed into their kit as there are other roles that they may undertake within the lesson, for example, coaching or officiating.
We encourage participation in lessons, including sports, during periods whenever possible, and we provide guidance on managing them comfortably. A range of innovative garments, such as period pants and period swimwear, are now available to help individuals stay active. These items can be purchased from certain clothing retailers and online.
We are committed to normalising conversations about periods and ensuring our pupils feel confident discussing them with peers and staff. Through open discussions and education, we aim to break down taboos, build understanding, and empower pupils to share how they feel. By fostering a supportive environment, we ensure that pupils feel heard, understood, and confident navigating both periods and physical activities.
If a pupil is absent due to sickness/illness the day before a fixture, especially if on a Friday, they will not be permitted to take part in the sports fixture. If they are absent for other reasons this is permitted.
Squad Selection Policy
Selection is a complex decision as speed, agility, skill level, game awareness, aesthetic performance, attitude, performance under pressure, fighting back from a losing position, commitment, reliability, etc all come into play. Many of these qualities, or indeed lack of them, are things which we, as experienced coaches, can identify and are beyond the sight of even very intelligent pupils. However, these variables will also change with each participant so it sometimes can be difficult to have any set rules or guidelines about selection.
As a department, we value the following attributes in all squad members. These qualities are integral to team selection for elite events:
• Positive Attitude and Enthusiasm: approach sports with a positive mindset and enthusiasm.
• Teamwork: perform as a cohesive team rather than as individuals.
• Commitment and Reliability: attend training sessions, extra-curricular activities, matches, and competitions consistently. If unable to attend, notify your coach personally.
• Respect and Loyalty: show respect, commitment, and loyalty to coaches, teammates, and captains.
• Effective Communication: maintain positive communication with coaches, teammates, and captains during practices, matches, competitions, and around school.
• Work Ethic: put in maximum effort at training, striving to implement skills and tactics taught.
• Flexibility: be adaptable and accommodating to team needs.
• Balanced Approach: strike a balance between enjoyment, fun, and the hard work expected.
These attributes guide our selection process and reflect the values we uphold as a department.
Taking all the above into account, ability will ultimately determine the final selection.
When selecting squads for elite events, the department will make all squad members aware that they may not play/perform at that event but that regardless, they are a valuable member of the squad If pupils need to be moved to a lower team, we aim to speak to individuals to provide personalised feedback We consider our selection policy to be fluid so that movement does occur between teams when appropriate and required.
LEH sport coaches, across all sports, always think carefully about squad selection, especially for elite events.
As a department we strive for excellence at elite level, however we also pride ourselves on offering inclusive sport for all. This is why sport at LEH is so incredibly successful.
We offer teams from A-H in the Thirds and usually A-F in other year groups. Ultimately, the final decision is made by the coach of the specific team, and it is based on their knowledge and expertise of their specialist sport.
Rowing Selection Policy
The LEH Boat Club (LEHBC) has its own Selection Policy and Team Attributes. They select rowing crews that are not only fast, but also best represent the LEHBC values. They strive to make the framework for selection of racing crews at LEH as fair and transparent as possible. The selection procedure will vary from year group to year group and event to event, but in general, are based on ‘The Three A’s’:
• Attitude. Willingness to go the extra mile; help around the boat club; a good team player; hungry for feedback; and diligent when a change is suggested by the coach.
• Attendance. Consistent completion of the training to the best of the rower’s ability, so that progression over the year is measurable. Training builds up cumulatively - you will get out what you put in!
• Athleticism. On water performances: rowing/coxing the technical pattern well, seat racing, telemetry, small boats results, crew results and ability to navigate the river safely.
• Off-water Performances. Consistent improvement of threshold ergos, ergo tests and UT2 training. Consistent improvement of strength and conditioning ability. Demonstrable development of strength and fitness. Coxes are required to add value to the team during land sessions, assisting coaches etc.
These components of selection are all important, however the biggest predictor of athletic potential is always Attitude. Someone with a strong athletic attitude will be more successful over a longer time scale than someone with just physical capability. Having the best Attitude will naturally lead to high Attendance and longterm athleticism.
Whatever the sport, there is an expectation that pupils are committed to their chosen sports and teams and have fixtures both during the week and at weekends highlighted in their diaries. There is an expectation that selected pupils are available to fulfil the fixtures.
Accessing Fixture Arrangements
Parents are informed of fixture arrangements through My School Portal.
• Log on to My School Portal
• Select Senior School Information
• Scroll down and select Sport Results and Fixtures
This is where details of venues, timings and any further details are published
Additionally, pupils are expected to inform their parents if they are selected, and the arrangements for these fixtures. Pupils are responsible for ensuring that they check when their sport and team’s fixtures are and make note. Should they not be available, we expect early notification not the day before. We will always endeavour to ensure that information on My School Portal is correct and up to date for our pupils. If fixtures are cancelled on the day of the event, My School Portal will be updated, and pupils will be informed as soon as possible.
An email will be sent to parents prior to the fixture providing details of transport requirements to and from away fixtures with a form to complete stating if transport is required. We do ask parents to ensure that they adhere to deadlines for this information so that we can book the correct transport requirements based on numbers.
We appreciate emergencies can happen, however, if your child is signed up to travel by transport booked by the school, we will expect them to travel as booked, to and from the venue. We cannot accept last-minute changes as this impacts on the rest of the travelling group and delays our departure and arrival back to LEH.
Sports Colours
Senior School awards (Lower 5 - Upper 6)
Colours are a highly prized recognition of a pupil’s excellence and commitment to an activity at LEH. They are traditionally a sporting honour, and the nature of this award has naturally changed over the years and is likely to change in the future. However, the principle should not change.
Candidates for colours are nominated at the discretion of the Sports department. Members of staff will refer to the criteria to assist in awarding colours to individual pupils in their given sport and year group.
Colours are awarded to pupils in Lower 5 through to Upper 6. They are awarded for high performance in the following sports or activities:
Netball, lacrosse, rowing, fencing, swimming, gymnastics, athletics, tennis, cricket, trampolining, cross-country and badminton (additional sports will be considered).
How Sports Colours are Awarded
Full Colour
A pupil must demonstrate all three of the following to an excellent standard: ability, commitment and attitude to their school training, matches and tournaments throughout the period they are eligible for that team/squad.
If they are injured during the season of play, they can still be considered for a colour if they are of the standard deemed to be excellent at the time of injury.
Full colours can be awarded to pupils in Lower 5, Upper 5, Lower 6 and Upper 6, if they are considered to fulfil the above criteria in their sport/team Colours can then be re-awarded in the years above if they continue to demonstrate the same excellent standards.
Gold Award
These are awarded to pupils who have met the full colours criteria above in two or more sports and/or are considered to have excelled at a national or international level outside of school.
Silver Award (Lower 5)
These are awarded to pupils in Lower 5 who have met the full colours criteria in two or more sports and/or are considered to have excelled at a national or international level outside of school.
Half colour
Pupils can be awarded a half colour within the A/1st and B/2nd teams of their sport. A pupil must demonstrate two out of three (minimum) of the following to a very good standard: ability, commitment and excellent attitude to their school training, matches and tournaments. If they are injured during the season of play, they can still be considered for a colour if they are of the standard deemed to be very good at the time of injury.
Commended
A pupil must demonstrate two out of three (minimum) of the following to a good standard: ability, commitment and excellent attitude to their school training, matches and tournaments.
Middle School awards (Thirds – Upper 4)
For the Middle School pupils, individuals are awarded certificates for achievement in their sport. There are two main certificates: Achievement Award and Progress Award. One pupil is awarded these certificates from each of Thirds, Lower 4 and Upper 4 year groups in recognition of their hard work and success in the variety of sports.
These policies are in constant review to ensure that we are providing the best possible experiences in sport.
