Senior & Sixth Form SPORT
Winning mentality: Sport at Senior School
King’s College Taunton is a sporting powerhouse, renowned across the South West for its outstanding facilities and results.
That’s why we believe in sport as pivotal to the all-round development of our pupils.
Alongside providing engagement, responsibility and enjoyment, sport aims to actively enable young people to take on a variety of challenges that help build confidence, take leadership roles and enable them to work as part of a team.
Of course, we’re a hugely successful sporting school that achieves national titles and competes with the UK’s top sporting schools. But our sports provision is so much bigger than cup wins and performances – it provides the opportunity for all pupils to thrive, to improve and to find their own individual love of sports.
Our sport is built on the ideals of a healthy and balanced lifestyle, respect, discipline and a sense of sporting integrity. Everyone has something to contribute – simply by taking advantage of our vast array of sporting opportunities.
OUR CURRICULUM
We have developed a structure we believe caters for everyone. The sport programme is tailored towards the needs and requirements of our individual pupils; built on high quality coaching across all sports, superb unrivalled facilities and a timetable that allows every pupil to improve and develop.
We have three sports programme units:
- Engagement and Development
- Performance
- High Performance
SPORTS PROGRAMMES
We pride ourselves on a sports programme that allows every pupil to engage in a variety of sports throughout the year. This not only promotes a positive, active and healthy lifestyle, but also encourages vital social skills that play a big part in our pupils’ overall development. Furthermore, our coaching, facilities and fixtures provide a wonderful opportunity for all pupils to improve their sports skills.
A majority of our pupils go on to represent universities and clubs when they leave and this is a crucial driving factor within the Engagement and Development unit of the programme. This unit normally provides two to three training sessions per week and access to weekly sports fixtures, should pupils wish to play competitively.
Designed for those who want to take their sport more seriously and put in extra hours outside of the main games programme, pupils gain access to optional early morning or lunchtime strength and conditioning (S&C) sessions and out-of-season training. These sessions are open to all pupils, regardless of their ability.
We pride ourselves on developing pupils who are looking to achieve the next level of performance to gain selection to county, regional or even national level programmes. Our specialist and highly qualified sports staff provide pupils with the support needed outside of the normal school day.
This is a reflection of the success of our coaches and sports department, where many pupils have gained selection onto academies, performance programmes and regional or national teams.
Due to the demands, pupils who fall into this category require additional support from our qualified staff. Each High Performance pupil benefits from a sports mentor to oversee their time management and create a system with a healthy balance between academic work and training. Each athlete also has access to their own individual S&C coach who develops a designed programme.
The Aspire Performance Netball & Hockey Programmes
We are excited to launch two initiatives within our girls’ sport offering: the Aspire Performance Netball Programme and the Aspire Performance Hockey Programme. These programmes reflect the school’s commitment to nurturing confident, well-rounded athletes within an environment that values balance, wellbeing and high performance.
Both programmes will run primarily during the Michaelmas and Lent terms, aligning with the main competitive seasons. This approach allows athletes to experience focused performance development while still engaging in a broad and balanced sports curriculum, supporting long term progression, reducing burnout risk and maintaining enjoyment.
Aspire Girls Performance Sports Programmes
FAQS
The High Performance Netball and Hockey Programmes operate predominantly during the Michaelmas and Lent terms, reflecting the main competitive netball season. Athletes follow a separate summer sport during the summer term, with off-season support available to maintain athletic foundations and support individual development where appropriate.
Yes. Athletes on the programme are encouraged to maintain a broad sporting experience and may continue to participate in other sports during Michaelmas and Lent if they wish. Individual programmes are managed carefully to ensure appropriate balance and workload.
Netball and hockey support in the summer term is delivered in an off-season context and is designed to complement, rather than replace, athletes’ summer sport commitments. The focus is on maintaining physical development, supporting long-term progression and ensuring athletes return to the hockey season refreshed and motivated.
The programme is aimed at athletes who are already performing at a high level or who demonstrate clear potential within netball and hockey performance pathways. It is also open to athletes who may not yet be on formal pathways but who, through assessment and review by King’s staff, are identified as having the ability, attitude and potential to benefit from a high-performance environment.
The programme is designed around the needs of the developing athlete. Training demands are monitored closely, with a strong emphasis on balance, recovery and enjoyment. Athletes continue to engage in wider school sport and life, supported by close collaboration between sports staff, tutors and pastoral teams.
No. The High Performance Netball and Hockey Programmes are included within King’s wider sports offering.
There is no fixed limit on the number of athletes accepted. Places are offered to those who meet the required performance, commitment and suitability criteria, ensuring the programme remains aspirational while allowing appropriate flexibility year on year.
SPORT AT KING’S
Contact us for more information on our Aspire Programmes
