Aims of Sport at Norwich School


To inspire pupils to love sport, exercise and movement throughout their lives.


To achieve this, we will be guided by the three principles of PARTICIPATION; PREPARATION and PERFORMANCE


"Welcome to the online home of Norwich School’s Sport. Here, you will find out about the breathtaking range of sporting opportunities that can be accessed in the Senior School to help create a life-long love of sport, exercise and movement.


I strongly believe that regular participation in sport and exercise are central to living a long, happy and healthy life. I also understand that we are all different and come to sport with different levels of motivation, skill or simply time. This is why our sports programme is based on the principles of “Participation; Performance and Preparation” and is designed to offer progressive opportunities and experiences for all. This starts in L4 and U4 with a team sports leading to inter-school fixtures plus a “physical education” (PE) rotation that blends physical literacy with new experiences for all pupils. As pupils grow, we increase the choice at L5 to offer rowing, sailing and kayaking along with dance, orienteering and tennis, which may appeal to those more interested in individual, crew/partnered and outdoor sports. This choice expands still further at U5 and into sixth form where over 20 sports are offered throughout the year. 


Our programme comprises a weekly timetabled sessions for all pupils in all year groups; a programme of extra-curricular sport-specific coaching sessions, all complimented by lunchtime and after-school sports clubs, which run through the year and provide many opportunities to enjoy sport and progress.


The Sport and Outdoor Education Department comprises  a team of highly competent, motivated and passionate sports teachers and coaches whose aim it is to develop a life-long love of sport for all pupils whether they are the reluctant pupil who is finding their way to the sport that excites them or the talented specialist, who we will support to become best they can be either through our Sports Scholars programme or the external talent development pathways with whom we work closely.     


In these web-pages you will find sport-specific information along with detailed policy information and guidance in our “Pupil and Parent Guide to Senior School Sport”, linked below. Information on our outdoor education programme can be found in the Co-Curricular section of the website linked here.


I look forward to watching our pupils have fun and progress in their sporting endeavours, whatever they may be and hope they learn to....

Love sport, always!"


Ian Hayward

Director of Sport and Outdoor Education


A woman is jumping over hurdles on a track.
A young boy is playing a game of cricket on a field.
Two young women are standing next to each other on a grassy field.
A group of children are dancing in a dance studio.
A group of people are walking down a long hallway in a building.
A group of men are playing field hockey on a field.
A group of women are playing a game of netball on a court.
A group of people are rowing a boat on a river.
A group of rugby players are huddled together on the field.
A sailboat with the number 49 on the sail
A young boy is playing tennis on a tennis court.
A group of young boys are playing basketball on a court.
View more

Welcome to Norwich School Sports Facilities 

We have three main sites with a range of facilities 

Daynes Sports Centre

Redmayne Sports Centre

Fixtures

We also regularly travel to away fixtures at schools around the county and beyond

Regular Away Fixtures

Sports News

FONS Bid Provides Compasses for Orienteering Club

By Eleanor Lewis • February 17, 2025
Orienteering reappeared as a games option this year for the first time in a decade, available to L5 and M5 pupils in Michaelmas and Lent terms. I soon found that my dwindling set of old compasses was not sufficient to cater for the group of 20+ pupils doing the sport each week. So I was very grateful when FONS agreed to fund some new ones. I took advantage of a sale to purchase 20 new compasses for £55.85, and have been using them during training sessions and at competitions throughout this term. They are perfect for teaching a range of skills to beginners; not only taking bearings and finding direction, but they also have an array of distance measuring tools along the side. They should serve the orienteering club well for many years to come. This term I’ve had a group of 10 pupils using them weekly in games sessions, and as many as 20 pupils using them at competitions at the weekend. The pupils currently involved range from Lower 3 through to Middle 5.  A highlight we have to look forward to in 2025 is that the British Championships is coming to Norwich for the first time ever. It will be held at UEA on 31st August, and hopefully lots of our pupils will take part, some armed with these new compasses!

Brilliant Results from the GB Under 19 Long Distance Trials in Boston

By Eleanor Lewis • February 16, 2025
Over the first weekend of half term, Nicholas Conway and Daniel White travelled to Boston, Lincolnshire to compete in the GB Under-19 Long Distance Trials. With 50 crews reaching this stage, they raced three times over a 3.5k course in pairs. In the first race, they were partnered with rowers assigned by the selectors. Based on their results from Run 1, they were paired with competitors ranked just above or below them for Run 2, and this process was repeated for Run 3. Daniel raced alongside rowers from Dulwich, Radley, and Shrewsbury, finishing in the late 20s for the first two runs. However, he delivered an impressive final performance, securing 17th place in Run 3. Nicholas had an outstanding set of results while racing with rowers from Canford, Bedford School, and Shiplake, progressing through the rankings with finishes of 11th, 7th, and an exceptional 5th place in the final run. Both athletes now await the selection decision for the Spring Assessment Trials in March, which will determine crews for the Munich Regatta. To progress further in the selection process for the Junior World and European Championships this summer, they must also complete a 2k ergo test and meet a required time standard to qualify for the Spring Trials in April. We wish them both the best for the luck as the Trial process continues.

Rowing Report from the Start of 2025

By Eleanor Lewis • February 13, 2025
The Senior Boys and Girls raced at Quintin Head, on the Tideway, with a solid result of 13th out of 33 crews from the boys 1st VIII. This was a good practice for both crews and coxes ahead of the Schools Head in March. With Hampton Head cancelled due to flooding, 55 rowers from j14 to J18 joined in a Club Time Trial on 1st February. With J14 Octos, J15 Girls and Boys 8s and 4s, Senior Girls 8+ and 2x and Senior Boys 2-, 4s and 8+ all competing with a downstream and upstream timed piece. It was great to make the most of our river, while other locations were flooded and to have all the Boat Club training together. Bedford Head saw 60 rowers racing in 18 different crew combinations, with wins for the J15 Boys 4+ and the J15 Girls 4+ and 8+.  The half term will be rounded off by Daniel White and Nicholas Conway competing at the February Long Distance GB U19 Trials in Boston. Good luck to both rowers.
Show More
Share by: