St Dunstan's College - Discover Sport

ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE

DISCOVER SPORT

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DISCOVER SPORT I S T D U N S TA N ’ S CO L L EG E

ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE

DISCOVER SPORT INTRODUCTION

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port and Exercise Science at St Dunstan’s College empowers and educates every pupil to reach their athletic potential. To achieve this we offer a broad, inclusive and ambitious sporting programme that prioritises the development of values and character. The St Dunstan’s sporting experience instils a lifelong passion for health, fitness and wellbeing.

Through our multi-ability focused curriculum, our diverse Forder Programme and the competitive playing experiences of our core sporting programmes, there really is something for everyone.

The most significant and recent change is our unique and forward-thinking approach to gender-neutral sporting provision. The sporting landscape has changed and schools really must take the lead. Gender cannot be a barrier to any individual getting access to a sport that they love, and a sporting curriculum must provide equal opportunities to all. We believe that prioritising

opportunity for all will not just support our existing competitive programmes, but will see them continue to evolve, flourish and thrive.

Ms Rebecca Watkins Director of Sport

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READY, SET, GO - TEACHING SPORT AS A SCIENCE We offer an engaging and inclusive curriculum that includes both academic and performance pathways with consistent application of sport and exercise science throughout.

Rahter than focusing solely on physical performance, we take a well rounded approach to assessment, which promotes the holistic development of our pupils in line with the College’s core values (courage, compassion, curiosity, creativity and confidence).

All pupils have the opportunity to progress along academic pathways with the emphasis on health and well-being, with opportunities to further explore the discipline of sport and exercise science through trips, events and lectures.

Offering a broad curriculum also provides students with the opportunity to develop their sporting performance.

Breadth of experience across varied environments supports the development of physical literacy, selfawareness and leadership skills.

‘Sport is fun and competitive with multiple opportunities across several sports teams. There are lots of exciting activites outside of our core sports too, I’ve really enjoyed Strength and Conditioning as part of the Forder programme, alongside my competitive swimming’ Year 9 Student

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SPORT IS FOR EVERYONE AND NOT JUST THE FEW At St Dunstan’s we work hard to get the balance right, between breadth of opportunity and a phased approach to high quality, competitive sport. Whatever route students choose, each will create positive early experiences, which are so important to instil a lifelong love for sport. We create an environment that not only nurtures students’ physical development, but also improves self-awareness, teaches students to respond well to challenge and pressure, instils teamwork and leadership qualities and helps them to embed a positive growth mindset.

Each term presents different challenges, with rugby and hockey featuring in Michaelmas, netball and football in Lent, cricket in Trinity and swimming throughout the year.

Our games sessions focus on the growth and development of every student. Through conditioned game play and tailored coaching, individuals have the opportunity to develop their technical skill, tactical awareness and gamebased understanding in each core sport. This will equip them with everything they need in order to best prepare them for the rigours of competitive sport.

We are extremely proud of our Forder Programme, offering a vast range of ‘access sports’ that are not available during curriculum time or as part of core sporting provision.

From taekwondo to fives, fencing to water polo, every pupil should be able to find a sport that excites them. The Forder Programme is full of opportunities for pupils to step

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DISCOVER SPORT I S T D U N S TA N ’ S CO L L EG E

outside of their comfort zone, taking advantage of the unique sports on offer at the College.

Ultimately competitive sporting performance may not be for everyone, and the Forder Programme also gives us an opportunity to use sport to equip our pupils with leadership skills. Our SLQ Sports Leaders programme provides students with valuable leadership experiences and a recognised qualification that is highly valued by potential employers. They then have the opportunity to apply what they learn, working with our highly qualified sporting team to inspire the next generation, coaching younger teams during training sessions, fixtures or at community events.

Be it playing in competitive fixtures, committing to a new sport in the Forder Programme or gaining real-life experiences and qualifications, the opportunity for personal growth through sport is second to none.

‘I have enjoyed the wide range of sports available to me and also like how people are able to take part no matter their ability’ Year 11 Student

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A PERFORMANCE PATHWAY - ABOVE AND BEYOND Our ‘SDC Athlete’ programme provides additional sport science support to our scholars and recognised athletes as they progress on their sporting journey. This programme supports phased physical development, whilst emphasising the importance of balance and player welfare.

Students learn about fundamental movements skills and locomotive patterns; plyometrics, change of direction and flexibility; long-term athlete development; periodisation of training; and preparing for the transition from school to higher education or high-performance sport. Alongside this, students gain access to webinars and seminars developing their understanding of supporting disciplines, including nutrition, sport psychology and physiology, whilst being paired with a member of staff from the sports department who will mentor them through their time at the College. Students will also receive a unique piece of sports kit and act as champions of sport at the College at various events. Through this comprehensive, individualised programme, we ensure that each student has the support and guidance needed to be able

to navigate their way through their competitive sporting journey, whilst remaining focused on their academic studies and additional commitments.

Alongside our performance pathway, all students have the opportunity to be involved in whole school events, further igniting a passion for sport. Our annual St Dunstan’s Festival is filled with a mixture of social, friendly and fun competition, as well as our Sports Day and prestigious Sports Dinner which provides a chance to gather as a community and celebrate all of our exceptional sporting achievements.

Our local, national and international sporting tours give students the chance to make memories, friendships and connections that will stay with them forever. Our tours provide a nice balance of competition and culture, ensuring that students gain valuable life experiences through sport and travel. Recent touring destinations have included Bath, Edinburgh, Valencia, Canada, South Africa and Dubai.

‘Throughout my time at St Dunstan’s, I’ve competed in six sports, all offering a unique experience. The sports department also offers various trips and I have been lucky to go most recently on a hockey tour to Valencia’ Year 11 Student S T D U N S TA N ’ S CO L L EG E I DISCOVER SPORT

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A TEAM OF EXPERTS We are extremely proud of the high level of expertise we have within our department. As a team, across both the Junior and Senior School, we are made up of six teachers, five highly qualified coaches and two sports graduates, all supported by a wider team of external coaches and staff from across the College who have a background in sport. Within the department every single member of staff has represented or is still representing in their respective sports, at either International or National level. Gaining this level of playing experience has proven to be absolutely vital in providing a wealth of high-quality teaching and coaching through our cocurricular programme. Our team of staff are role models, with both practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding that inspires our students to be curious, confident and courageous in all of their sporting pursuits.

This team are fortunate to work with our exceptional facilities,

‘I have had the opportunity to travel the country, playing other schools at a very high level. The freedom and impact sport has had on me as a student is really unique and special’ Year 11 Student 10

DISCOVER SPORT I S T D U N S TA N ’ S CO L L EG E

located over two sites; College and Jubilee Grounds both located in the heart of Catford. Across the two sites we have a vast range of outstanding facilities that include; a County standard hockey pitch; four County standard netball courts; seven 5 and 7-a-side FA standard football pitches; playing fields that include our Senior and Junior football and rugby pitches; a 31m swimming pool and four cricket squares.

On site, students have access to a fully equipped sports hall, double storey gym that boasts a strength conditioning studio and a multi-purpose fitness suite, three fives courts, a multi-use games area, climbing wall and dance studio. All of these facilities support our diverse co-curricular offering, and provide excellent, high quality sporting experiences for every single student. The sports block is a hive of activity that sees hundreds of students pass through it every day, be it before school, during lunch times or at after school training sessions.

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GOING THE EXTRA MILE We are passionate about our vibrant and diverse community.

Whether it be the students and their families, the residents of Catford and Lewisham, the organisations with whom we share spaces and ideas or one of our links and connections across London and beyond, the sporting landscape at St Dunstan’s reflects the community that we are a part of.

We know that classroom teaching and learning forms only one part of the educational experience. Engaging with community partners is of equal importance in shaping compassionate and confident young people who can make a positive contribution.

Through our commitment to supporting local children and schools, local and national organisations and international businesses, each year we provide over 13,000 hours of sport,

deliver over 12 weeks of free sporting provision and play a key role in the College’s drive to support charitable partners.

It is important to ensure that all of our partnerships are mutually beneficial, sustainable and leave a lasting impact.

Our students develop as performers, work on their leadership skills; coaching, officiating and inspiring younger generations whilst our partners benefit from our students, facilities and resources. For example, our well-established link with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club not only provides our students with top class coaching, it provides a base for the Club’s academies to run successfully. Aside from that, we have links with clubs such as Beacon’s Netball, Catford Cyphers Cricket, Blackheath Rugby, Panthers Hockey and Marylebone Cricket Club.

‘My favourite experience is having the Tottenham football coaches come to do sessions with us. I was also surprised that there is a team for everyone to join, so nobody is excluded’ Year 7 Student S T D U N S TA N ’ S CO L L EG E I DISCOVER SPORT

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SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS AT ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE

82% 9-6

100% A*-B A Level Results 2021

Our partners We work with more than 21 local clubs and organisations, including Beacon’s Netball, Tottenham Hotspur FC and Lewisham Young Leaders Academy (LYLA) 14

GCSE Results 2021

50+

Students currently on district and county player pathway programmes

30+ Sports offerered to every student each term

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80+ Students take part in a Forder sport activity each day

200 Students take part in sports outside the College

Gender neutral Games programme giving all students access to core sports

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St an s te a d Ro a d , Lo n d o n S E 6 4 T Y A co -ed u c at io na l , i n d e p e n d e nt Co l l e ge fo r a ge s 3 to 1 8 www. s t d u n s t a n s . o rg . u k 020 8516 7200 Charity number: 312747

An ambitious, forward-thinking community that inspires and supports individuals to thrive