Sport

Director of Sport / Teacher of PE

Team Bryanston

Our mission is to produce a safe, connected and purposeful environment for all our pupils and staff to perform. Alongside our whole school approach in supporting the individual, we strongly believe in the importance of promoting a Team First Culture and Sense of Belonging through sport.

We see sport as a tool to promote positive behaviours and celebrate pupils who show a Committed, Curious, Caring and Creative approach towards both individual and team sport and exercise.

At Bryanston, sport is inspirational to all and integral to daily life. Over 80 per cent of pupils represent the school in at least one sport and they all participate in sport at least three times per week.

Bryanston has a history of sporting success and excellence across a range of disciplines. We encourage every pupil to explore various sports until they discover the ones that suit them. Pupils can take part in sport purely for the joy of it or to compete at the highest levels, both nationally and internationally. As a through school (ages 3-18) we have an aligned long term athletic development model that supports this.

Our performance sports (Years 9-13)

Bryanston is genuinely home to some of the leading coaches and facilities in the country. Our international pedigree coaching staff bring a wealth of experience in coaching young people at different stages of their development.

We understand that the relationship between participation in physical activity through to the early and adolescence years will determine whether or not our pupils develop an affectionate connection with sport and exercise into adulthood.

As a through school (ages 3-18) all our performance sports follow our long term Athletic Development Model. Through a five-stage framework, the needs of the pupil are divided to match their stage of development:

Play (Nursery and Years 1-2)
Explore (Years 3-5) – Learn basic physical and technical skills. Developing Physical literacy
Participate (Years 6-8) Learn sports specific skills and keep improving skills in a more competitive environment. Introduction of some competition in both a training environment and inter schools’ competition
Enhance – (Years 9 and 10) Breadth of opportunity present. However, start selecting EDP and EPP athletes. Enhance specialist skills/ positions. Definite shift to competition. Ensuring positive training behaviours are being promoted and rewarded.
Perform (Years 11-13) – Train to improve performance. Competitive outcomes become the focus. Prepare- Perform- Compete

High Performance Sports Programme

Our High Performance Sports Programme (HPSP) provides a unique opportunity for sports scholars and exceptionally talented young athletes to excel in their chosen sports. It is tailored for future professional sportspeople, offering a comprehensive support system.

Coupled with our world-class facilities and comprehensive medical support, we provide an extraordinary platform for our young athletes.

CRAFT – Performance Coaching and Skill Development
BODY – Strength and Conditioning and Health & Wellbeing Programme
MIND – Sports Psychology Support
Academic Excellence

Learn more about our HPSP

Wider sports programme

Bryanston’s aim is to provide a breadth of opportunity to encourage each and every pupil to find an affectionate connection with sport and exercise during their time at the School.

For those not involved in the performance sports programme in their senior years, there is an extensive range of sporting provision to suit all interests. These sports either have a competitive focus through a full programme of school fixtures or in the enjoyment of sports for engagement.

These sports tend to be available to pupils in their senior years (Years 11-13). However, there are some junior pupils who may excel in a particular area and with permission can access these sports at an earlier stage.

All the following sports in this programme are supported by specialist coaches throughout the year;

Squash

Squash at Bryanston offers an inclusive and progressive environment where pupils learn quickly and receive strong support. The team ethos and collective support from pupils and staff alike, makes the courts a hub of activity and enjoyment.

Our teams have a solid reputation and regularly play other schools. Pupils have the opportunity to play squash in games lessons in the senior years, but can also benefit from one-to-one coaching at any stage.

Sailing

Our sailing activities are divided into two main groups: the Learn to Sail group and the Racing group. The Learn to Sail programme is for beginners and is available as a summer term ECA or Sports option. More adventurous pupils can choose it as part of the Year 10 (C) adventure training rotation in the autumn term.

The Racing group is for experienced sailors. We help pupils enhance their speed and understanding of racing rules. Once proficient, they join Team Racing, which is a sociable, tactical form of racing. Training occurs twice a week at Spinnaker Sailing Club, with weekly competitions against local schools. We are part of the British Schools Dinghy Racing Association and participate in various events and championships.

Pupils who sail regularly at club, regional or national levels can apply for our High Performance Sport Programme, which focuses on conditioning for strength, endurance, and agility, tailored to their specific roles and needs.

With the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy nearby, we have access to world-class facilities and coaches.

Canoe Club

The focus of the Canoe Club is predominantly marathon racing. Athletes compete at divisional Hasler races, the Waterside Series, and Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race.

Our cross-training approach develops all round fitness, strength and stamina – with many athletes also racing at cross country events, which have much in common with marathon canoeing – racing head-to-head on the water, and portaging around locks and weirs at pace. A wide range of racing kayaks are used as athletes progress through increasingly fast and unstable boats.

Our ‘homegrown’ athletes are supported throughout their development by experienced coaches – either in small groups or through one-to-one coaching sessions. Opportunities are also provided for pupils to develop white water skills during expeditions to the white water rivers of Exmoor and Dartmoor.

Fives

Eton Fives was first played in the eighteen-hundreds at Eton College as boys queued for chapel. Something that began as a fun distraction has become a serious game in many private schools, including Bryanston. We have three, enclosed courts and hold sessions each week. Our pupils are keen Fives players, and often find their sporting home in this niche game.

Fives is a ball game played not with a racket, but with one’s hands. Players wear leather gloves, and hit the cork ball with both hands. Played in teams, in a court modelled on the steps of Eton’s chapel, Fives is perhaps the most esoteric and engaging sport in the school. When walking past our courts you might hear shouts of “blaggard!” or “good smite!”, and you will see pupils happily engaged in their chosen sport.

Physical education and wellbeing

We draw a clear distinction between Sport and Physical Education (PE). While often bundled together, these two have distinct goals.

At Bryanston sport is about creating a growth mindset, believing in your potential, and enhancing your performance as an athlete.

The academic subject of Physical Education focusses on understanding health in both physical and mental aspects through a clear and well delivered curriculum at both GCSE and A Level.