Sport for All

Cricket is taught as part of games from Reception to Year 8, with Years 3 to 8 playing competitive matches in the Summer term. Throughout the year, cricket is offered as a club to continue the progression of our young cricketers during the off season. A comprehensive and competitive fixture program is organised each year and with both indoor and outdoor nets and 11 cricket pitches across our spectacular 52-acre grounds. 

Rugby is one of the four major boys' sports at Brighton College Prep Handcross, with a strong tradition. Children will start basic handling, movement and understanding from Year 1 and then follow the RFU age-grade system with tag matches starting in Year 3. Managed contact matches will start from Year 4 for those wishing to do so, with also the opportunities to play touch rugby right up to Year 8. 

As one of the major sports played at a competitive level, children from Year 1 to Year 8 are coached by our netball specialists in the basic fundamentals to advanced set plays and tactics. Our inclusive approach sees our children in Years 1 and 2 undertake weekly netball coaching, Year 3 play a 4-aside ‘Stinger Netball’ and Year 4 5-aside ‘Bee Netball’ formats before progressing to the standard 7-aside. Over the last year, 21 netball teams have represented the school, some of those competing in county and regional competitions. 

Athletics is one of the core sports at the heart of the PE curriculum and all pupils in Reception to Year 8 learn about and experience the various track and field events that the sport has to offer, differentiated at age-appropriate levels. Throughout the Summer Term, all pupils are furthering their understanding of the different events in preparation for Sports Day, competing to earn points for their Houses. Athletics clubs are also on offer for pupils in Years 3 to 8, in preparation for county, regional and national competitions. We are very proud of our National Athletes who have represented Sussex in a variety of track and field events. 

Football is for all at Brighton College Prep Handcross and the growth of the girls’ game has been particularly exciting over the last decade. As a core sport within our games curriculum, boys in Years 3 to 8 have their season in the Autumn term and girls in the Spring term. Years 1 and 2 also experience football within their games lessons. We are proud to host a variety of football tournaments throughout both the boys' and girls' seasons and for a variety of abilities and our ‘Be Trewe’ festivals are well renowned. 

Our hockey programme provides many opportunities for our pupils to develop and hone their skills from Reception to Year 2 through the PE curriculum and from Year 3 to 8 through the games curriculum and clubs. Both boys’ and girls’ hockey are one of the most successful sports at Brighton College Prep Handcross, with successes at county and regional level competitions. 

Swimming is a core part of PE for all children from Nursery to Year 8 and we strongly believe that swimming is not just a sport, it is a life skill. Pupils are taught by excellent swimming teachers who cover technique development across all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, backstroke and butterfly) as well as advanced skills such as diving and tumble turns. In Years 7 and 8, pupils also have the opportunity to experience water polo, lifesaving and personal survival. Swimming squad training is on offer for Years 3 to 8, for advanced training and regularly participate in swimming galas and IAPS competitions.

Physical Education is taught by our team of specialists from Nursery to Year 8. Through a broad and varied physical education curriculum the pupils gain opportunities to not just develop skills and sport-specific understanding, but also to learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership, perseverance, communication and resilience. This encompasses a range of sports from athletics to swimming, from volleyball to badminton, gymnastics to dance and pop lacrosse to health-related fitness, to name but a few! The aim is not just to instil a love of being physically active, but also a love of learning beyond the classroom.