Rugby at Ipswich School
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Rugby training is the activity I look forward to most during my day. The camaraderie of the team and the professional but enjoyable approach taken by the coaches have made it a thriving environment. The most enjoyable part of the rugby programme is training with the team and seeing the hard work pay off at the weekends when I am able to wear the school’s crest and run onto the 1st XV pitch.
I have benefited from the rugby programme significantly, both on and off the pitch. My individual game has been taken to the next level, physically but also mentally. The connections the coaches have built with Northampton Saints have also put me in a great position as I constantly know where to improve. The rugby programme has made me both a better player, but also most importantly a better person and leader.
There are countless opportunities to develop as a rugby player, but also as a person in the school’s rugby community. These opportunities cover all facets of the game from individual and position-specific skills to video analysis. These opportunities also go beyond the rugby field, as the coaches support you academically and as a young adult. The opportunities are endless and will push you to reach your full potential.
Charlie Coe, former 1st XV Captain and Northampton Saints academy player2 CIRC A 1399
Rugby at Ipswich School
The rugby programme at Ipswich School aims to provide the best possible rugby experience at schoolboy level across the country.
We pride ourselves on being able to deliver an individual experience in which we help players achieve their goals by the end of their time with us at the school.
Sometimes this is achieving a senior academy contract, going to the best possible university to play rugby or even playing at the highest level they possibly can at club rugby.
However we are consistent in what we would like an Ipswich School rugby player to be recognised by and that is a player
who shows qualities of integrity, humility and hard work.
We strongly believe we have an environment which an athlete can come into and only have one option, and that is to improve as a player and an individual.
Through individual skills sessions, strength and conditioning sessions and individual analysis sessions we aim to constantly improve the player each day.
We also aim to provide the best platform for the players to learn and grow when on the pitch. Constant review of training and game footage with our analysis equipment and a full time analyst allows us to learn further when off the field every day.
We also look to compete in every possible national competition to gain experience playing against the best schools in the country. In 2023 we are taking part in The Schools Championships, featuring seven of the top rugby schools in the country. We look forward to welcoming you to playing rugby at Ipswich School.
Jacob Ford, Head of Rugby3
Our rugby programme
It is important that our players have opportunities to develop their skills and reach their personal goals
Rugby training takes place at the school’s Notcutts sports field, and at Ipswich School Sports Centre in the winter, making use of the floodlit hockey pitches. A full fixtures card is run in the Michaelmas term, followed by extended 15-a-side fixtures at the start of the Lent term. Then we transition into a full Rugby 7s programme after half term in the Lent term.
Competitions and Tours
Teams are entered into a number of national competitions, as well as the local fixtures programme:
• Daily Mail Schools’ Trophy
• U18 / U15 National Cup competition
• School Sports Magazine U14 Cup
• The Schools Championships
• The Schools Championships 7s
Our Rugby 7s competitions include Oakham and Rosslyn Park, and we also attend other festivals where we can enjoy competitive rugby, including Merchiston U18s festival, Ipswich Floodlit 7s and Sedbergh 10s.
We also arrange rugby tours for different age groups where they can take part in pre-season training and competitive matches abroad.
Individual Sessions
It is important that our sportsmen have the opportunity to develop their individual skills to be able to reach their personal goals. Therefore the rugby programme at Ipswich School includes the following individual sessions and opportunities:
• Skills sessions with rugby coaches throughout the day
• Strength and conditioning sessions throughout the day
• Analysis sessions with coaches throughout the day
• Development plan put together with a rugby mentor coach
• Individual plans created with Northampton Saints if applicable.
Sixth Form students are able to timetable 1-to-1 skill sessions, analysis and strength and conditioning sessions.
Sports Analysis
Sports analysis is another key component of the Ipswich School rugby programme, and we use the following technical assistance:
• Multiple camera masts which are used at fixtures and training
• Drone used at home facilities to give a third camera angle for 1st XV players
• Tracking cameras on two of our pitches at Notcutts
• Training and games all uploaded to Hudl for easy access and ability to immediately analyse and review.
We also have a Performance Analysis Lounge which we use for individual and group meetings to review training games.
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Our partnerships
We believe that working in partnership provides great benefits for our young players
Northampton Saints
We have a link with this Premiership rugby academy, providing a pathway for our elite athletes.
By working closely with their strength and conditioning team we can deliver the same programme and goals for the athletes.
It also enables us to create individual development plans for players to improve in both environments.
Bury St Edmunds RFC
We have close links with Bury RFC, a National League rugby team. This provides another pathway for our students to be able to play top level rugby.
Our coaches also coach at Bury RFC, which provides consistency of direction. Players at the school have a further opportunity to play with top level coaching at a National 2 South club.
Catapult
This GPS system and software is used to track the load on our athletes. It allows us to tailor individual training programmes and reduces the risk of injury.
We can see statistics of how hard players work in games so that we can adapt the recovery process afterwards.
Hudl
Hudl is a performance analysis platform. Students and coaches can access training and games and analyse their own footage.
Parents, coaches and students are able to watch games back and review.
There is the ability to share clips easily and directly with premiership academies.
Coaches can instantly give feedback to players on match days using the Hudl system, and they can access wireless streams of the game on their iPad for player feedback.
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Our coaching team
Jacob Ford
Head of Rugby
Current Director of Rugby at Bury St
Edmunds RFC
Former Director of Rugby at Westcliff RFC
Former performance rugby coach at Loughborough University
Youngest ever RFU Level 4 coach and is the highest qualified for his age in the country
Former player at Wasps and Bath Academy
Ben Penfold
Assistant Head of Rugby
Former national player with Cambridge Rugby Club and ran the community rugby department there.
Coach co-ordinator and player/coach at Bury St Edmunds RFC
DPP coach at Northampton Saints
RFU Level 3 coach
Ben Kelland
Rugby Forwards Coach
Former player for: Northampton Saints, Pau in the Top 14, and Hartpury University
England U16s representation
Winner of BUCS Super Rugby 2019
Current DPP coach at Northampton Saints
RFU Level 2 coach
Archie Bourne
Rugby Forwards Coach
Former player with Bath Academy and Loughborough University BUCS Super Rugby player
Player at Bury St Edmunds RFC
Joe Collier
Rugby Sports Graduate
Former Midlands U18 representative and part of Durham Uni BUCS Super Rugby squad
Player at Bury St Edmunds RFC
RFU Level 2 coach
Callum Hall
Rugby Sports Graduate
Former Cardiff University rugby squad player
England Lambs U18s representative
Eastern Counties representative
Player at Bury St Edmunds RFC
George Loose
Rugby Sports Graduate
Former Leicester Tigers Academy player
England U18s representative
Player at Bury St Edmunds RFC
RFU Level 2 coach
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Left to right: Callum Hall, Joe Collier, Ben Kelland, Jacob Ford, Archie Bourne, Ben Penfold, George Loose
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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To find out more about the rugby programme at Ipswich School email: rugby@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
