Sport and physical education may have numerous benefits for both physical, social and mental health. Physical activity is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and promotes good physical health, emotional well-being, and social well-being and we try to cultivate these in and through the physical education programme. It is proven that regular physical activity can strengthen and tone muscles, strengthen bones and joints, and keep the body mobile and more flexible. It can also reduce the risk of injury, coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Physical activity can also help improve posture, increase awareness of body position, and alleviate back pain.

In addition to physical health benefits, sports participation is associated with higher levels of well-being, self-belief, and mental toughness, which are key life skills for young people. According to Sport England, sport and physical activity can help prevent ill health as well as provide therapeutic and management effects for those suffering, particularly for people affected by cancer. It can also lead to improvements in strength, balance, movement, and motor skills, and help maintain a healthy body weight. Overall, sports and physical education are essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and promoting physical and mental well-being.

Mr Graham Muckalt - Head of Academic PE
 

Academic

The academic side of Physical Education is taught with small class sizes, which allows for attention to detail at both GCSE and A Level. The students are driven to learn about the subject as they pursue careers in sport, with most having aspirations to giving the playing side of their sport a go. We are committed to providing a varied and exciting programme that encourages students to lead a healthy lifestyle in preparation for adult life. The varied teaching methods and the learning environment are very positive and this allows the students to flourish. We promote full involvement and the benefit of continuing to play in sport after leaving school. 

1st to 3rd Forms

All students receive a double period of Physical Education per week. The lessons are based upon a philosophy of Sport for All, which promotes an improvement in skill and fitness levels within an organised, disciplined, and caring environment. We support all ability ranges to ensure that each student achieves their potential and has a positive experience, which gives them the interest to continue with sport as they move through the school and beyond. The sports that we coach include swimming, badminton, athletics, basketball, and tennis.

GCSE

Potential candidates should not see this course as a means of simply playing more sport. They are expected to prepare for the considerable academic content of the subject and the challenge this brings. It would be beneficial for these candidates to see Physical Education as a Science.

Paper 1 (30%) – The human body and movement in physical activity and sport.
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes.

Paper 2 (30%) – Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport.
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes.

Non-exam assessment - Practical performance in physical activity and sport.

Practical performance (40%) - 3 different physical activities in the role of player/performer

A Level

It is important to note that any students wishing to go on to study A Level Physical Education at the school should, as a prerequisite, have studied the GCSE course in Physical Education or attained at least a Level 6 in the Dual or Triple Award Sciences.

Potential candidates are reminded that they should not see this course as a means of simply playing more sport. They should be prepared for and commit to the considerable academic content of the subject. The course will appeal to students wishing to continue their Sports Science or Sports Management Studies at university and beyond. If they have aspirations of becoming a professional sportsperson or entering the leisure industry or perhaps moving into the teaching profession, then this course is for them!

The subject combines well with Biology and there are a number of cross-curricular topics such as Psychology and Physics, through the focus on biomechanical movement and application of forces.

The A Level syllabus consists of:

Paper 1 (35%) – Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport

• Applied Anatomy and Physiology
• Skill Acquisition
• Sport and Society

Paper 2 (35%) – Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport

• Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics
• Sports Psychology
• Sport and Society and Technology in Sport

Non-Exam Assessment (30%) - Practical performance in physical activity and sport

• Students assessed as a performer or coach in the full sided version of one activity
• Written/verbal analysis of performance
   

Co-Curricular Sports 

Athletics: Junior and Senior teams.

Squash: Junior and Senior teams.

Tennis (6 grass courts): Junior and Senior teams.

Water polo: Senior team, but junior team plays inter-house matches.

Swimming: Full-time swimming coach with the highlight in the calendar being The Bath Cup (Relays) at the Olympic Pool.

County Cups: In football, cricket and athletics.

Inter-house programme: handball, water polo, volleyball, triathlon, 5-a-side football, real tennis, tennis, golf, swimming, squash, table tennis, rounders, touch rugby.

Badminton.

Real Tennis – one of 50 courts in the world; The Oratory Court was the first to be built for over 150 years in 1989.

Swimming – weekly squad sessions, regular galas for the students in The Bath Cup (Olympic Pool) and County Championships.

Tours – Recent tours for Rugby to Canada & South Africa, Cricket to Barbados, Rowing to Portugal.

Skiing – Annual trips.

Our philosophy is based on the dual aims of Sport for All and excellence at all levels.

Sport plays an important role in the life of every Oratory student. We believe that providing quality and varied sporting opportunities is essential in an active day and boarding school, both for health and fitness reasons, and for the sense of achievement and value that active participation and successful competition bring.

We actively encourage students to represent the school and our inter-house matches play a huge part in getting everyone involved in sport.

Main Sports:

• Michaelmas – Hockey, Rowing, Rugby
• Lent – Football, Netball, Rowing
• Summer – Cricket, Rowing, Tennis

In addition to these sports, we offer:

• Badminton
• Basketball – play in the SOCS Southern Lent Term League
• Golf – play in the ISGA Match Play and have fixtures throughout the year
• Real Tennis – one of only 50 courts in the world. Each student has the opportunity to try this sports and the school team plays in the National Singles, Doubles, and Handicap tournaments
• Squash – regular fixtures in the Michaelmas and Lent term
• Swimming – the sessions run at lunchtimes with galas taking place during the Michaelmas and Lent Terms, with the season finishing at The Bath Cup in March at the Olympic Pool in London

With the increased importance of leisure in our culture, there are numerous vocational opportunities linked with sport. Embarking on this first rung of the ladder will be of interest to all those intent on becoming a professional sportsperson, or in a career related to leisure management or administration, coaching, or in the teaching of Physical Education or Sports Science.

We have a well-established reputation for supporting top level performers in a range of sports. Our Elite Sports Programme includes:

• Professional coaches for Swimming, Real Tennis and Cricket
• Golf and Tennis lessons with a professional (seasonal and paid for extra)
• Strength and Conditioning training and support for all Sports Scholars
• Strong links with a number of Club rugby academies, including London Irish and Wasps
• Football coaching support from Reading FC
• Player-specific Masterclasses in Rugby and Cricket
• A three-term programme for elite rowers led by the Head of Rowing

Cricket

We have seen many of our students achieve great success in cricket at professional level (Gloucestershire CCC), county level (Berkshire) and premier league (Henley CC and Oxford CC). We also play in the National T20 Competition.

Rugby

England Counties U18’s player.

Students in academies at Wasps and London Irish.

Rugby 7’s Colts (U16’s) winners at Stonyhurst.

Rugby 7’s U18’s – Plate winners at Windsor and Oakham.

Old Oratorian selected for Oxford Varsity Team for the past 2 years.

Student signed for Scarlets RFC.

Shooting

At Bisley (Summer holidays).

Won Cadet Champion at Arms.

Won Silver Medal in Ashburton Competition.

Won Cadet Falling Plate.

Rowing

Competitive racing in local and National Regattas. 5^th place single sculler in the GB U16 Trials 2023.

Compete at the Schools Head of the River Race and the National Schools Regatta annually (Finals 2023 J16 2 X).

Enter the Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta.

Football

Play league football against other schools – Thames Valley League set up by The Oratory.

2nd XI won the Thames Valley League.

With the increased importance of leisure in our culture, there are numerous vocational opportunities linked with sport. Embarking on this first rung of the ladder will be of interest to all those intent on becoming a professional sportsperson, or in a career related to leisure management or administration, coaching, or in the teaching of Physical Education or Sports Science.