Sport
Individuals have been particularly successful at regional or national level in badminton, gymnastics and swimming and numerous team successes include becoming county champions in tennis, netball, lacrosse and rounders and progression to national finals for athletics, lacrosse, curling, badminton, gymnastics and swimming teams.
At Walthamstow Hall every pupil is encouraged to enjoy sport and physical fitness whatever her level of ability. Sport is well-represented on the curriculum and enjoys a high profile. Walthamstow Hall really ‘punches above its weight’ in terms of sporting performance and achievement, with many pupils excelling at county and national level across a wide range of sports.
Walthamstow Hall’s success in the sporting arena is the result of motivated and talented pupils being encouraged and coached by expert teachers able to draw on fantastic sports facilities which are open to and used by all. We are also incredibly fortunate to have the support of an enthusiastic parent body.
Sports Facilities
All Walthamstow Hall pupils enjoy use of fantastic Sports facilities. At the centre of our sporting world is the Sports Centre, opened by six pupils (all national champions) in 2015. The Sports Centre includes a Sports Hall with four Badminton Courts, a Gym, Dance Studio and sports classroom. The Centre sits alongside the School’s 25m, 6 lane Swimming Pool, which opened in 2008 and which is in nearly full time use by both the School and swimming clubs within the local community. The School’s Mulberry Hall is a dedicated space for Gymnastics, with the sprung floor used at the 2012 London Olympics firmly installed. A squash court is the final sports building on campus. Outside, there are four netball and tennis courts and a lacrosse pitch. Our cross country runners benefit from Knole Park being on our doorstep and our lacrosse players also make use of the Holly Bush astro pitches adjacent to the School.
Sport on the Curriculum
Our aim is for pupils to discover physical activities they will enjoy throughout their time at school and beyond. Many discover a talent that enables them to excel and we encourage all to achieve their personal best and develop a love of physical activity which will establish healthy habits for life.
A significant portion of every pupil’s weekly timetable is dedicated to sport. The major team sports are netball, swimming, lacrosse, tennis, cross country and rounders. Pupils also have lessons in gymnastics, athletics and badminton. Sixth Form students make use of the fitness equipment in the gym and dance studio in their study periods and at lunchtime and after school.
Sport on the Curriculum
| Lessons per week | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | 5 | Athletics Badminton Cricket Fitness Gymnastics Handball Hockey Lacrosse Netball Rounders Swimming Tennis |
| Year 8 | 4 | As Year 7, plus: Football Rugby Ultimate Frisbee Volleyball |
| Year 9 | 3 | As Year 8 plus Table Tennis |
| Year 10 | 3 | As Year 9 |
| Year 11 | 3 | As Year 9 |
Pupils who are also interested in developing their understanding of the physiological and psychological aspects of PE and Sport can study for a Physical Education GCSE short course or full GCSE and can pursue their studies right through to A level.
Clubs
Alongside PE on the curriculum, there are extensive opportunities for pupils to explore new sports through the large numbers of clubs on offer each season. These include:
- Badminton Club
- Badminton Elite
- Cross Country Club
- Curling Club*
- Gymnastics Elite
- Gymnastics
- Football
- Judo*
- Lacrosse
- Netball
- Rounders
- Running Club
- Squash*
- Swimming
- Swimming Elite
- Taekwondo*
- Tennis Coaching
- Tennis Elite
- Tennis Recreational
- Ultimate Frisbee
*Paid for ‘extras’.
Practices and Team Selection
We understand the thrill and pride that comes from representing the School in fixtures and are keen for pupils to have the opportunity to experience this by playing in School matches.
As far as is possible we make every effort to select pupils who diligently attend weekly sports practices. In netball and rounders this is achieved by arranging fixtures for A, B, C and D teams as required. Pupils earn their places by attending weekly practices and taking part in regular team trials.
Fixtures
Walthamstow Hall uses the SOCS School Sporting Fixtures app used by many schools to communicate match opponents, dates, times and team lists. Parents are sent instructions on how to use the SOCS app when they join the School. Fixtures can also be checked by going to
Pupils will also find team lists on the Sports Boards outside the Changing Rooms.
In addition, a Fixtures Card outlining the forthcoming term’s schedule of sporting fixtures is published at the end of the preceding term. Fixtures are also included in the printed calendars, again published at the end of each preceding term.
Netball, rounders, tennis and swimming matches tend to be played after School during the week with some bigger, regional and national tournaments talking place at weekends. The majority of lacrosse matches take place on Saturdays. Pupils are taken to and from matches via mini bus or coach. Cross country and badminton tournaments and bigger swimming galas also tend to happen at the weekend.
Parents are always very welcome to support their children at fixtures.
Interhouse Competitions
During the course of the year a large number of sporting events take place which give the pupils an opportunity to compete within their House groups. These include: athletics, badminton, benchball, cricket, gymnastics, lacrosse, netball, rounders, swimming, tennis and tug of war! The interhouse competitions are a fantastic opportunity for all pupils to get involved in either playing sport or supporting their peers.
The range of opportunities to participate in sporting pursuits, both competitive and recreational, is excellent.
