King’s Jump Up National Sports League Table
“Dedicated specialist staff and fantastic facilities” have seen the King’s School jump up the league in this year’s School Sports Magazine awards.
From over 4,000 secondary schools nationwide, King’s is now ranked 31st in the UK’s exclusive top sports schools list, up from 66th last year. Highlights included becoming the U14 National Schools Rugby Champions, with the U14 netball team fourth in the National Schools Netball Finals.
Now ranked second in the North West, the ranking puts King’s in the top 1% of schools nationally for sporting performance. The impressive ranking was awarded by School Sport Magazine, which evaluates schools based on their success across 20 different sports and over 120 events. This not only highlights King’s exceptional commitment to sport, but also the diversity of opportunity offered to pupils.
King’s Director of Sport Chris Thomson, said: “We are fortunate to have some fantastic facilities including our Derby Playing Fields and Brocklehurst Field; a main cricket field; two floodlit Astroturfs; a floodlit six court netball and tennis area. These outdoor facilities are complemented by fantastic indoor facilities in the sports centre, including a six-court sports hall that caters for a variety of sports. The complex also houses a six lane 25m swimming pool, a dance studio, a fitness suite, and a bespoke cricket centre.
“These new indoor facilities have certainly helped support the King’s Elite Athlete Pathway (KEAP) programme, with staff assisting our most talented students to develop their fundamental skills, attitude and their strength and conditioning. We are also blessed with a number of well qualified and knowledgeable PE teachers, specialist coaches, academic staff and support staff who provide coaching input in Games lessons, after school and on match days.
Chris added: “Clearly, sport benefits physical health. It also plays an invaluable role in the psychological development and the wellbeing of young people. Being involved in sport will build self-confidence and promote important life skills, such as discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience and perseverance.”
King’s Director of External Relations Caroline Johnson said: “This success is very much about developing local talent and empowering young sportspeople to be the very best they can be. We are delighted to receive this external recognition for our sports provision, the range of opportunities and the achievements that we are able to celebrate as a community. It is a tremendous achievement that reflects the dedication of our staff and the remarkable sporting accomplishments of our pupils.”
