Sport

Sport For Every Ability

Ardingly College has a reputation for being successful in many sports while providing opportunities for children of all playing abilities. Our success comes from our ethos of providing sport for all at an appropriate level: Performance, Aspirational and Recreational.

The Sports Department has several key goals:

  • To provide regular competitive fixtures for pupils in the major sports and for the educational values of teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship to be emphasised to students.
  • To educate children about the health benefits (physical and psychological) of taking part in sport and physical exercise.
  • To provide the expertise and coaching opportunities for pupils who demonstrate the ability to go on and play their sport at a regional or national level, while developing the skill sets of those who aspire to play at a higher level within the school.
  • To create positive learning environments so our children can learn to love sport.

SPORT IN THE FARMHOUSE (Nursery to Year 2)

Taught by the coaches from our sports department children build vital foundation skills like throwing, catching, and coordination, all while having fun. With regular swimming lessons during the school day in our indoor pool, along with our own sports field and an annual sports day, we provide a well-rounded and enjoyable sports curriculum for all.

SPORT IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE (Year 3 to Year 6)

Sports on offer include football, cricket, hockey, netball, athletics, cross country and swimming but also include tennis, sailing, fencing, basketball, golf, badminton, and futsal.

Training and Fixtures

We run an all-inclusive sports programme, encouraging boys and girls to participate in a termly sport with weekly matches. Games are timetabled twice a week and matches are played on a Wednesday. We field numerous teams of various ability levels so that everyone has the opportunity to compete. Our A teams are regular recipients of cups and medals, sometimes at a National level; while boys and girls representing the other teams play at a level to ensure they thoroughly enjoy participating.

BoysGirls
Michaelmas TermFootball / Cross Country / SwimmingHockey/ Cross Country / Swimming
Lent TermHockey / Cross Country / SwimmingNetball / Cross Country / Swimming
Trinity TermCricket / Athletics Athletics / Football / Cricket/ Rounders

FOR GIFTED and TALENTED ATHLETES

We provide many different opportunities to further develop our most promising athletes with our Extended Sports Programme. Our most talented pupils benefit from a unique programme, supported by top coaching, in several additional weekly sessions at a more advanced level than our clubs’ programme and are given opportunities to compete at the highest level. There may also be the opportunity to train and play with students in the Senior School. Ardingly Prep School are incredibly proud of their sporting achievements.

Sport as part of the Clubs Programme

The Co-Curricular Programme offers an opportunity for children to try many different sports.  For those passionate about a particular sport, the clubs provide extra training opportunities so that boys and girls can develop their skills and fitness.

Swimming Programme in the Prep School

Prep School pupils have a weekly swimming lesson based on ability for half a term, 2 terms of the year. Swimming is also available as an option 3 times a week in Prep Games.

Pupils can trial for the swim squad programme. This accommodates the training commitment needed for competitive swimming around the school day allowing pupils to reach their academic potential. Pupils who are part of the swim squad also benefit from holiday training sessions.

Outstanding Facilities

  • The two sports halls, squash court, indoor rowing area and indoor swimming pool are home to the indoor sports facilities offered at the College. A Strength & Conditioning Centre is open to Senior students.
  • Outdoor facilities include two astro turf pitches (one multi-purpose), numerous football and rugby pitches, netball and tennis courts. These are all on campus and accessible within a few minutes’ walk.
  • Ardingly Reservoir is situated next to our campus and is used for rowing and sailing as well as fun team building activities. We take full advantage of having this superb water facility on site.

High level coaching staff

We have two dedicated and passionate Heads of Boys’ and Girls’ Games. The Prep and the Senior School share resources so are in a privileged position of having access to superb sporting facilities and high level coaching staff (Premiership hockey players, County cricket coaches, UEFA Licensed football coaches, Level 2 netball coaches, a strength and conditioning coach and full time swimming instructors).

“The ethos of performing to the best they can is promoted through excellent coaching for all ages and the school’s Elite Sports Programme. Talented boys and girls benefit from a personal programme supported by professional coaching.”

ISI Report 2018

Prep School Sporting Achievements - 2017 to date

AthleticsFour National Champions in Discus, Javelin and 1500m
AthleticsMultiple County and Regional Champions
AthleticsFive Junior County Champions
AthleticsRanked 3rd in the country in National Finals medal table
AthleticsWinners of multiple regional team events
Cross CountryEast Grinstead Schools Champions for 5th successive year
Cross CountryQualifiers for National Finals at Malvern College
Cross CountryWinners of English Schools County Championships
Cross CountryUnbeaten in local schools competition in 2017/18
Boys' FootballWinners U12 and U13 IPS London 6s
Boys' FootballWinners Brambletye 6s
Boys' FootballWinners Copthorne 6s
Boys' FootballWinners IAPS Regional Finals
Boys' FootballQualified for National 6s Finals
Boys' FootballU11 Ardingly 6s Winners
Boys' FootballNational Cup Quarter Finalists
Boys' Football1st XI unbeaten in 2018
Boys' FootballWinners of Seaford U9 Tournament
Girls' FootballQualified for National Finals at St George's Park
Girls' FootballWinners of several local tournaments
HockeySeaford tournament winners
HockeyIN2H Tournament Winners
HockeyQualified for IN2H Regional Finals
HockeyQualified for IAPS National Finals boys and girls
NetballTop 3 finishes in SISNA Tournament
Rounders3rd Place in IAPS Regional Championship
SwimmingUnbeaten in 41 galas
SwimmingMultiple Qualifiers for National Finals
SwimmingFive Top 10 finishes at National Level
SwimmingWinners East Grinstead Schools Gala
SwimmingCounty Relay Champions qualifying for National Finals
FencingMultiple winners at county and national level
FencingRecord national medal hall in 2018
Our pupils have also enjoyed huge success in sports outside of school, such as Tennis, Biathalon, Distance Running, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Karting, Karate, Modern Pentathlon and Judo.