Hockey at Ipswich School
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At Ipswich School I have been given many opportunities in hockey, including my 1-on-1 sessions in the morning twice a week before school, and panna hockey and drag flicking at break time. I have been able to work on core techniques and the skills I want to improve.
My team have two to three games lessons together where we work in groups and regularly play matches, and I also do academy training after school. I improve my strength and conditioning in the gym during school and get useful nutritional advice too.
Bea N, Year 112
Our hockey programme
Coaching and Athlete Development
◊ Five full-time hockey coaches
◊ Individual development plan for athletes
◊ 1 to 1 technical sessions, individual and team video support
◊ Coaching over three terms
◊ Strong relationships with local National League clubs
◊ Individualised Strength and Conditioning (and Speed) programme including performance profiling and mobility screening
◊ GPS analysis and load monitoring
◊ Injury reduction and recovery programmes
◊ Flagship partnership with HUDL video analysis, using ball tracking technology
Ipswich School has a long successful history in hockey with a multitude of national final appearances both outdoors and indoors, England age group international representation and GB Senior Olympians over the last 20 years. This includes four Team GB Olympic Hockey squad members at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Our hockey programme is designed to maintain this success whilst challenging all individuals to attain the highest levels of performance and enjoyment. Our goal above all else is to inspire pupils to play hockey, build camaraderie and be the best individuals they can be.
We strive to help our pupils maximise their potential and a big part of that has been the coaching team and the opportunities we have put in place.
Our coaching team pulls knowledge and experiences from five full-time hockeyspecific coaches who have worked all across the globe, to provide our pupils with a breadth of experience and depth of knowledge that will challenge and broaden their thinking and understanding.
The programme itself is about opportunity; whether a pupil is new to the game or competing nationally, every pupil has the opportunity to access national level coaching and individual support including 1:1 coaching, video, gym work and much more. The coach’s role is to ensure these experiences are engaging and exciting.
Whether it is representing the school, club, region or country, we take great pride in seeing our pupils go on to achieve great things, both within the UK and abroad.
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Our coaching team
Conor Annand
Head of Boys’
Hockey
Former Scotland U21 International
National League hockey player and coach
Talent Academy lead coach
FIH Level 3 coach
England DiSE coach
Adnan Zakir
Skills Coach
Former Pakistan Senior International (169 caps)
Former Pakistan and Egypt national team coach
FIH Level 3 coach
FIH Level 4 candidate
Maddy Newlyn
Head of Girls’ Hockey
Former England and GB U23 player
National League hockey player and coach
Former Premier League player in England, Spain and Australia
Talent Academy lead coach
FIH Level 2 coach
Andy Swindin
Level 3 Coach
Former National League player
Iain Gall
Former National League player
Team coach for numerous national finals
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Our facilities
We have state-of-the-art facilities providing an excellent sporting experience for our pupils.
Ipswich School Sports Centre in Rushmere is a a multi-million pound training venue offering first class sports and events facilities. It was opened in 2016 by former pupils and Team GB Hockey Olympians Harry Martin and George Pinner. There are also extensive sports facilities on the Henley Road site which can be accessed by pupils during the school day.
These include a purpose built indoor sports hall with viewing gallery, a gym with state of the art equipment, and an indoor swimming pool. There is also an astro pitch at nearby Westwood House.
Ipswich School Sports Centre, Rushmere
Three hockey astros
Purpose built indoor sports hall with viewing gallery
National achievements 2022-2023
◊ U18 Boys National Indoor Finals
◊ U16 Girls Indoor National Finals
◊ U14 Girls Outdoor National Finals
◊ U18 Boys Outdoor National Quarter Finals
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Our school
Ipswich School is the top independent school in Suffolk and one of the top ten in East Anglia (Sunday Times Parent Power).
Founded circa 1399, it has a long-standing educational heritage and is the only school to be mentioned in one of Shakespeare’s plays.
Our students achieve excellent examination results and progress to top Russell Group universities, including Oxbridge. Most importantly, our students are happy – reaching their potential, supported by outstanding pastoral care and part of our friendly community.
Ipswich School offers bus routes across East Anglia, bursaries and scholarships, and options for weekly boarding.
Our boarding houses are situated in historic grounds in the centre of Ipswich and neighbour Christchurch Park.
The school is located close to the Suffolk heritage coast and is within an hour of London Stansted Airport, as well as the cities of London, Cambridge and Norwich.
Academic provision
Tutors keep a close eye on each individual student to ensure that they balance their activities and are happy and fulfilled. In the Sixth Form our offer expands to new A Level subjects not taught at GCSE level, such as Economics and Psychology, as well as a BTEC in Sport and Exercise Science.
In 2023, over 1 in 5 pupils achieved grades 9-7 in all their GCSE exams, and 63% of GCSE exams were graded 9-7. 100% of students achieved 5 or more GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths.
At A Level, over 80% of exams were graded A*-B, with over 1 in 6 graded A*, and we had a 100% pass in all 26 subjects offered at A Level. In addition, 70% of our BTEC students achieved Distinction or higher
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“We have been delighted with Ed’s decision to move to Ipswich School for Sixth Form. He was enticed by the superior hockey programme; we were impressed with the academic reputation.
In reality, the way academic, sport and pastoral staff work together to ensure Ed is able to excel in both areas has completely exceeded our expectations.
The depth of resources, expertise, facilities and experiences offered to Ed, on and off the hockey pitch, has been outstanding. The transition from his previous school seemed effortless as all staff and students were welcoming and supportive.
But the move has not just been about his time at Ipswich School, the support and guidance given to Ed to enable him to make informed choices and develop skills to serve him well beyond his A Levels has been exceptional.
Fiona Brice.Mother of former England U16 & U18 hockey player, Ed Brice
Ipswich has helped me to develop hugely as an individual - the coaches have facilitated and aided me in all facets of on-pitch and off-pitch sport, so that I can reach my potential as an athlete.
I have been helped in my pursuit of the highest level of hockey I can achieve, playing for a National League club and trialing to get into the England team. The coaches have definitely pushed me, be it in the gym or on the pitch, I have been able to enhance my skills and strengths.
In my several years at Ipswich, I have had numerous opportunities and competitions, travelling around the country to play the best schools and clubs, as well as being able to go abroad and experience what European hockey and culture is like.
Ben Hunt, Former 1st XI Captain7 CIRC A 1399
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To find out more about the hockey programme at Ipswich School email: hockey@ipswich.school
For Ipswich School admissions, speak to our Admissions Team: admissions@ipswich.school
Ipswich School. SEPTEMBER 2023. All information correct at the time of printing. Ipswich School is a Registered Charity 310493