Which Grammar schools are more sporty

[YSH3]

I Want to know if there are any grammar schools that are sporty and not just academically strong. My son is smart but can not live without sports. We live around Bexley, Kent, Bromley and Orpington. It would be great if anyone can help. Thanks

[mylesta]

I've no personal knowledge but have seen Dartford recommended as good for rugby.

[Enko]

Jud Tonbridge and Skinners Tunbridge wells are sporty however both are super selective

[warnc007]

Gravesend Grammar is quite sporty, with a range of different options

[Grandmi]

My sons went to Skinners School it is a fantastic school with a very strong emphasis toward sport, especially rugby!!

[Lobsterquadrille2]

Agree with Judd and Skinners.

[Lightsabre]

Judd and Skinners are sporty. St Olaves quite sporty too (has nice fields) and does Eton Fives but no football. Dartford good for rugby. All will do at least one PE session and a double games lesson a week with sports after school clubs and weekend fixtures.

[NomNomNomNom]

I was also going to mention Judd which is strong on sports - especially rugby.

[YSH3]

Thank you all for your help. I have not heard of Judd or Skinners but looks like the majority of people agree that both schools are the most sporty. I’ll check them out. Hopefully they’ll be close by us.

[Enko]

Ds (Rugby mad) says Beth's grammar school in Bexley has an insanely good rugby side so worth looking at too.

[MarchingFrogs]

Judd is in Tonbridge and Skinners' is in Tunbridge Wells and both allocate the majority of their places to those living in catchment. The admissions policies for all schools in Kent are on the KCC website.

[Henlie]

Judd - but if you’re not in their catchment you’ll need to score very high in the Kent test.... In sure someone will be along soon to say what last year’s out of catchment minimum score was 😊.

[PettsWoodParadise]

Bear in mind whatever school - many who pursue sport at deeper levels will pursue it outside school too. If you are looking at this look for a grammar that is flexible and supportive. Not all are and they get focused on their absence figures and academics. DD’s grammar is no use to your DS until sixth form but it does excel at supporting individuals who have wider interests.

A friend’s sporty DS enjoys the team and sport offerings at Chislehurst and Sidcup. Their early start and finish time does make afternoon fixtures tricky sometimes though.

[Enko]

Judd cut off score 2019 376 for the Inner Area and 402 for the Outer Area.
Skinners 360 for inner area unsure what their outer was.

[Aria20]

Dartford, Gravesend, Chis&Sid all very into rugby and cricket go on tours abroad. Wilmington does football and rugby.

[DecafBluebell]

Hi I know this thread is old but I have the same question extending to girls' schools as I have both genders. I haven't been impressed with SE grammar schools' sports culture as they seem solely academic and musical only, on the surface, but i may be wrong.

Looking for schools that encourage sports as part of PE, clubs and wide participation - not just competitively

My view is that a school's role at top competition level is to be supportive of the absences/training clashes/physical effects - these kids do it outside of school anyway with county clubs/academies. Obviously great if they have great school sports teams but not necessary.

[duvethug]

@DecafBluebell you'd be better off starting your own thread. People will only bother scrolling down this far, if they are interested in the original post about boys schools in Kent, but your question needs a different audience.

[tennissquare]

@DecafBluebell , also you need to be realistic about the funding for schools, it's around £7,460 per pupil per year in a grammar school (before 6th form). That doesn't leave much money to put into sport, for example the transport costs of taking teams off site have gone up considerably in the past few years.

[Time2Run]

@DecafBluebell I would have thought that grammar schools usually pride themselves on a strong and inclusive sporting provision. My son's main motivation for getting into his current school was sport. I agree with pp that it would be worth starting your own thread, specifying which schools/areas you are interested in. 

[PettsWoodParadise]

DD’s grammar produced Olympic athletes and grand slam winners (plus Hollywood and soap actresses) but more from being accommodating to their training and filming schedules and not worrying about attendance records like some nearby schools. Whilst they did do the sport or drama at the school the Emma Radacanu’s, Dina Asher Smiths, Gemma Chan’s did this at a whole different level. Yes there was a tennis centre nearby and the school had nice sports field and a drama programme but that was not necessarily the foundation for their talent.