A Derby independent school is aiming to lead the field in inclusive sport following its move to become co-educational this month.
At the start of this term, Derby Grammar School welcomed girls into its primary year groups for the first time, and from September 2023 will be completely co-educational.
In preparation, director of sport Jamie Smyth developed a clear vision for the school’s sporting offer, creating a ‘sports for all’ environment with a strong focus on mixed sport.
“Our aim is to provide a fully inclusive co-educational sports programme that offers every pupil the same opportunities to participate, enjoy and succeed in a variety of different sports.” said Mr Smyth. “This is a forward-thinking and modern sports programme that has inclusion and equality at its heart and one that reflects the current and future direction of sport and modern society.”
As part of the transition into a co-education school they will be aiming to offer a complete mixed sports provision, where boys and girls will be participating in PE, Games and Swimming lessons (in the Primary School), within a mixed sporting setting.
“This is a philosophy that will be replicated within the Senior School when we make the move to become fully co-educational in September 2023,” said Mr Smyth. “We want to ensure we are offering a fully inclusive and equal sports provision for every pupil, and break down the stereotypical gender barriers that are placed on some sports.”
Pupils across the whole school, from Reception to Upper 6th, will have the same access and opportunities to their highly experienced and qualified staff, wonderful sports facilities at Rykneld Sports Centre and be able to express themselves within a completely mixed environment.
The school’s core sports are rugby, which takes place during the autumn term, hockey in the spring term and cricket in the summer term. This takes place as part of their games programme and provides pupils the opportunity to represent the school within a well- balanced, competitive and enjoyable set of sports fixtures throughout the year. The school also offers a wide range of additional sports every half term and increases its sports provision as the pupils progress into the sixth form.
Pupils have already begun enjoying the range of sports on offer and reaping the benefits of having access to such highly qualified and experienced staff members, such as Lauren Burrell – a PE teacher within the sports department – who competes in hockey, captaining the Beeston Ladies First Team in the National Premier League and is also assistant coach for Wales U18 Girls. Inclusivity is what she loves most about sport.
“The great thing about sport is that anyone can take part,” she said. “Sport is for everyone. Regardless of your gender, background or ability there is always something for someone. Sport has given me a passion, ambitions and enjoyment in what I do and through it I have found lifelong friends that go beyond sport.”
Head teacher Paul Logan said this move demonstrates another benefit to existing pupils of the school’s move to co-educational.
“This will allow existing pupils to experience sport in a totally mixed setting, enabling all pupils to benefit from playing and competing together, equally. We know there are benefits of mixed groups in the classroom and there is no reason that should not extend on to the sports field.”
The school has also launched applications for its Sports Scholarship 2023 programme. Sport scholarships are offered for entry into the senior school into Year 7 and Year 10, and for the sixth form into Year 12. As part of their sports scholarship programme the school provides pupils with a reduction in fees, as well as an off-field sporting education where sport scholars receive the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of a variety of different sports performance topics such as leadership, goal setting, lifestyle management and the recovery process. In addition to this the school also provides sports scholars with termly tutorial sessions throughout the year where they have access to leading experts from the Derbyshire Institute of Sport covering additional topics on nutrition, strength and conditioning and sports psychology.
Anyone interested in applying for a sports scholarship should contact admissions@derbygrammar.org for further details.
