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PE and Sport

At Guildford County School we are proud of our reputation for providing excellent sporting provision and coaching for athletes of all abilities. Sport at Guildford County is rich with history and tradition, balanced with modern day emerging sports, providing students with a purposeful and rewarding physical education experience. Guildford County is successful in a variety of sports and its success on the field makes a major contribution to the students’ academic achievement, co-curricular participation and social skills.

The Physical Education Department offers access to excellent local facilities, dynamic and experienced teaching staff, a multi-dimensional and diversified syllabus, a vast co-curricular programme and varied and stimulating material involving applied sports theory and practical sessions.

Boys and girls of any ability are catered for, able to participate in a wide range of sports under the care of our staff. Guildford County provides a variety of sports ranging from traditional activities such as football, rugby, gymnastics and netball, to exciting emerging sports such as handball, lacrosse and American football aimed at meeting the different needs, interests and ability of our students. We also host various House competitions, and compete in county and national competitions.

The Guildford County Sport & PE Department is an exceptional, enthusiastic and forward-thinking department. The department is made up of the following:

Mr H Hoadley - Head of PE and Games / Head of Tudor House

Miss C Kemp – PE teacher and Head of Year 13 (maternity leave)

Miss L Cook - PE teacher 

Mrs E Collier - PE Teacher and Co-Curricular Sports Lead

Mr B Ludlow - PE Teacher

Mr N Morris - PE Teacher and SENCO

All members of the department, as well as a large number of other staff, contribute to the excellent delivery of the National Curriculum, GCSE and A Level Physical Education, plus a full commitment to our extensive & rapidly expanding extra-curricular sports programme.

Guildford County follows the Edexcel syllabus at GCSE and A Level.  The courses have grown in popularity in previous years and the department is very proud of the increasing numbers taking the course and going on to take further qualifications in the sports industry.

Career opportunities exist in the ever-growing leisure industry, teaching and coaching, recreational management, the health and fitness industry, sports marketing and professional sport. As a fully-recognised A level qualification, Physical Education will support applications for a wide variety of degree courses.

To study Academic PE it is important that candidates are literate with a sound GCSE base. They should be interested in sport and society and linking theory to practice. It is also necessary to be an excellent athlete or games player.

Our sport teams at Guildford County are always very competitive and participate deep into competitions. We have won a vast array of sporting trophies in recent years, regularly winning district and county competitions. We have a proud tradition of maintaining high standards in competitive school sport across a number of activities that we provide, and we aim to give a high class standard of coaching and facilities to enable the boys and girls to reach their potential and to have the best experience possible in sport.

The majority of the facilities we use are off-site and these include football pitches, a full size rugby pitch, synthetic turf pitch, outdoor cricket nets, sports hall, gymnasium, tennis courts and access to the local swimming pool. The school also benefits from the use of rowing machines and sports field.

Departmental Vision:

The focus of our PE department mirrors our school ethos by providing an inclusive approach to delivering sport and Physical Education. We want our students to benefit from both the physical and mental benefits of physical activity in a safe and enjoyable environment. We believe it is important to use sport as a tool to raise self-esteem and build resilience in each individual, encouraging participation post 16 years old. If a student enjoys their experiences of Physical Education at secondary school then we will be able to instil a deep love for sport and living a healthy active lifestyle.

Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Autumn 2025

Sports Bulletin Autumn and Spring 23/24

Summer 2025 Co-Curricular Timetable

Summer Term Co Curricular Timetable 2025

 

 

 

 

Lower School (Years 7-9)

We offer a high-quality physical education curriculum that inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities. It provides opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness alongside opportunities to compete in sport and other activities that build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.

The national curriculum for physical education aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities.

• Students are physically active for sustained periods of time.

• Students engage in competitive sports and activities.

• Encourage students to lead healthy, active lives.

In the curriculum, pupils should will build on and embed the physical development and skills learnt in key stages 1 and 2, becoming more competent, confident and expert in their techniques, and apply them across different sports and physical activities. They will learn to understand what makes a performance effective and how they would apply these principles to their own and others’ work. Pupils will develop the confidence and interest to get involved in exercise, sports and activities out of school and in later life, and understand and apply the long-term health benefits of physical activity.

 

Pupils are taught to

• Use a range of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in direct competition through team and individual games (for example, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounder’s, rugby and tennis)

• Develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports (for example, athletics and gymnastics)

• Take part in outdoor and adventurous activities which present intellectual and physical challenges and be encouraged to work in a team, building on trust and developing skills to solve problems, either individually or as a group (for example, climbing)

• Analyse their performances compared to previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best.

• Take part in competitive sports and activities outside school through community links or sports clubs.

Upper School (Years 10-11)

Pupils will tackle complex and demanding physical activities. They will get involved in a range of activities that develops personal fitness and promotes an active, healthy lifestyle.

Pupils should be taught to:

• Use and develop a variety of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in team and individual games (for example, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounder’s, rugby and tennis)

• Develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports, (for example, athletics and gymnastics), or other physical activities (for example, dance) take part in further outdoor and adventurous activities in a range of environments which present intellectual and physical challenges and which encourage pupils to work in a team, building on trust and developing skills to solve problems, either individually or as a group evaluate their performances compared to previous ones and demonstrate improvement across a range of physical activities to achieve their personal best.

• Continue to take part regularly in competitive sports and activities outside school through community links or sports clubs.

Goals

The three major goals that guide program development in Sport Education are for students to become competent, literate, and enthusiastic players (Siedentop, 1994). This means that teachers must design learning experiences that facilitate students learning what this means and what it would look like in realistic settings. According to Siedentop (1994);

• A competent player has sufficient skills to participate satisfactorily, can execute strategies that are appropriate for the complexity of the game being played, and is a knowledgeable player.

• A literate player understands and values the rules, rituals, and traditions of sport, and is able to distinguish between good and bad sport practices in a variety of sport settings.

• An enthusiastic player is one who preserves, protects, and enhances the sport culture through participation, involvement, and appropriate behaviour.

Objectives

In order to achieve these goals, students need to develop a set of objectives which Siedentop (1994) has identified.

1.     Develop skills and fitness specific to particular sports.

2.    Appreciate and be able to execute strategic play in sports.

3.     Participate at a level appropriate to their stage of development.

4.     Share in the planning and administration of sport experiences.

5.     Provide responsible leadership.

6.     Work effectively within a group towards common goals.

7.     Appreciate the rituals and conventions that give particular sports their unique meanings.

8.     Develop the capacity to make reasoned decisions about sport issues.

9.     Develop and apply knowledge about umpiring, refereeing, and training.

10.   Decide voluntarily to become involved in after-school sport.

Digital Technology

In the Guildford County PE department digital technology is used for 3 main reasons -

• The monitoring and assessment of student performance

• Improving students' literacy

• Develop student’s ability to evaluate and improve performance

Technology in sport is now widely used and continues to be an ever growing market, from Hawkeye in cricket to the video referee in rugby. The GCS PE department aim to use this digital technology inside and outside the classroom to not only benefit learning, but to provide students with a different skill set which they could potentially use in elite sports performance or other careers in sport. We have found that the iPad can provide students with an alternative stimulus for learning which we have found to improve pupil engagement, enjoyment, and has catered for an increase in student progress.

Below is a list of essential and suggested apps which students can use in and outside of the classroom that will benefit their learning and enrich their Physical Education experience.

Essential Apps

- Explain everything

- Coaches’ eye

- Socrative

 

Suggested apps

- HeartDecide

- KneeDecide

- MB Anatomy

- Living Lung

- VisAnatomy

- Ess. Skeleton 4

- Exercise Physiology

- Explain Everything

- Football Coach

- Cricket Coach

- Tennis Coach HD

GCS Sixth Form Basketball Academy

GCS Sixth Form Basketball Academy

We are proud to be able to provide a first-class Basketball experience through our well established Sixth Form Basketball Academy. We have two competitive teams which play in College Basketball League (CBL), which is the second highest league in the country, and the Association of Colleges League (AOC). Matches are regularly supported by both students and staff, creating a fantastic atmosphere for players. The players will receive regular training, both team and individual sessions,

throughout the week. Once the season begins, players will have matches almost every week, between October and February. 

 

As part of the Academy, students have the opportunity to:

  • Practice in the Sports Hall during dedicated hours

  • Utilise the school gym facilities

  • Develop knowledge of team and individual defensive and offensive strategies

  • Create show reels for University/ US College applications

 

There are a number of students graduate from our programme who have gone on to play in the Colleges leagues in America and BUCS . Below are some of our success stories. 

 

Nico Gordon

Graduated in 2023 - went on to play for Ursinus College in the state of Pennsylvania

Image 10

Max Masters

Graduated 2023 - went on to play for Nottingham University 1st team in BUCS university league

Image 9

Ben Austen

Graduated 2024 - went on to play for Portsmouth University 1st team in the BUCS university league

Image 8

Marley Scott

Graduated in 2024 - went on to play for Sunrise Academy, Kansas State

Image 7

News

20th August 2026

GCSE Results 2026

Today has been a wonderful reminder of what makes County such a special community.  Our Particular thanks go to our Exams Team, whose considerable work behind the scenes ensured that this morning ran so smoothly and to our Sixth Form Team for managing the significant task of enrolment with such efficiency and care.  We also thank the many colleagues who came into school during their holiday to distribute results, speak with students and families, offer advice and, of course, to share in their celebrations.  Your presence matters enormously to our young people. Mr Steve Smith, Headteacher, commented that, ‘There will, rightly, be time for detailed analysis.  We will want to understand where outcomes have exceeded our expectations, where they have matched them and where they have fallen short.  That process is important because it helps us to become better at what we do.  What matters is that we approach it with the same openness and professional curiosity that colleagues have demonstrated today.’ He went on to say that, ‘Already, some really valuable conversations have begun about what we can learn from this year’s outcomes.  Our continued focus on the quality of classroom practice, the design and sequencing of our curriculum and strong partnerships with families, particularly when a child is beginning to fall behind, remains central to our work.  Alongside this, coaching gives us an increasingly powerful way to support one another in refining our craft.  It is through the disciplined, consistent application of these things that we will continue to improve outcomes for every child.  For the part that every one of you has played in these results, thank you.  GCSE outcomes may be published against individual subjects and students, but the education of a child is never the work of one teacher or one department.  It is a collective endeavour and today's successes belong to colleagues across the school.  And there are some exceptional individual successes to celebrate.’ Among a very strong set of performances, special recognition goes to the following students, each of whom achieved an average grade of at least 8 across their GCSEs: Alice Mala Feriel Grace Annabelle Alyssa Molly Daniel Edward Emilia Ada Liam Alice Jade Lauren We are also immensely proud of 13 students in Years 9 to 13 who achieved outstanding results in their Heritage Language examinations, including 3 out of the 6 taking a GCSE who gained a grade 9 and 5 out of the 7 taking an A level who gained an A* grade. Congratulations to them all. Mr Smith, concluded by saying, ‘While these headline successes deserve particular recognition, I am equally conscious that there will be many students whose names do not appear above but for whom today's results represent something deeply significant.  For some, a grade 4 secured after considerable perseverance will mean every bit as much as a grade 9 does for another.  Progress, resilience and achievement take many forms and I hope that our students leave us knowing that we recognise and value them all.  Today, then, brings one chapter of their education to a close.  I am tremendously proud of the Year 11 Class of 2026 and all that they have achieved during their time with us.  For those moving elsewhere, we wish them every happiness and success.  For the many who will continue their journey at Guildford County Sixth Form, for which we are still warmly accepting applications, alongside the new students who will join us in September, we look forward to welcoming them back for the next stage.  As pleased as we should be today, our ambition does not change. As we begin a new academic year, we will continue to strive for excellence for every child, ensuring that learning remains at the heart of our work and that County is a school in which every young person knows that they have a place and genuinely feels that they belong.  That work requires expertise, high expectations and relentless attention to the quality of education we provide. It also requires the care and dedication that I see from colleagues every day.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this year’s results and, more importantly, for everything that they have done for the young people behind them.’  Read Full Article
13th August 2026

A Level Results 2026

Today has given us the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our outgoing Year 13 students and the culmination of two years of hard work, determination and commitment.  Their results, the best at A level in our school’s history, reflect not only their own considerable efforts, but also the expertise, care and high expectations of the many colleagues who have taught, guided and supported them throughout their time in our Sixth Form. Sincere thanks go to our Sixth Form and Exams teams for the enormous amount of work that goes into preparing for results day and for ensuring that this morning ran so smoothly.  Thank you, too, to the many colleagues who came in early to help with the distribution of results and, importantly, to be there to congratulate, reassure and support our students as they considered their next steps. Headteacher, Steve Smith, said, 'There was a real sense of positivity around school this morning.  Alongside celebrating what has been achieved, I was particularly pleased by the quality of the professional conversations already taking place about the year ahead.  Colleagues were rightly proud of the considerable strengths within this year’s results, while also being keen to look beneath the headline figures, identify those areas in which we can improve further and consider how we secure even stronger outcomes for our new Year 13 students in the summer of 2027.' Mr Smith went on to comment, 'That balance is important.  We should take genuine pride in excellent outcomes and recognise the expertise and commitment that have made them possible.  Equally, our expectations of ourselves and of our students must remain exceptionally high.  Our ambition is always to improve and our collective drive for excellence must remain unrelenting.' 'Taken as a whole, this year’s results are truly exceptional.  They represent an enormous achievement for our students and for the colleagues who have supported them.  My genuine thanks and congratulations go to everyone who has contributed.  The table below provides the detail of our headline outcomes for your interest.' Of course, behind every percentage and headline figure sits an individual student and it is important that we do not lose sight of that. For some of our young people, the results received today represent the culmination of an extraordinary personal journey.  Their achievements have been made possible through their own hard work, alongside the expertise of their teachers and the support, encouragement and challenge provided by colleagues across the school and through our Governance model. We would like to congratulate all of our students for what they have achieved.  There are many individual successes of which we can be extremely proud and I share some of those with you here: Felix - A* A* A Nathan - A* A* A Aidan - A* A* A Aaron - A* A* A* Hannah - A* A* A Lara - A* A* A Anuthmie - A* A* A Oliver - A* A* A Lauren - A* A* A B Dylan - A* A* A A Douglas - A* A* A* Isabel - A* A* A* A* There are equally some wonderful stories within our students’ destinations data this year, whether they are progressing to university, competitive courses, apprenticeships, employment or other exciting opportunities. 88% of our cohort applied to university and 44% of our applicants, at time of writing, have gained entry into a Russell Group insututution. Further, we have three Conservatoire and three Oxbridge entrants. Our congratulations to them all. Conservatoire Felix  Leah  Jamie Oxbridge Noah  Oliver  Isobel  Results day is inevitably focused on grades, but today is about considerably more than a set of letters on a page.  It marks the conclusion of an important chapter in the lives of our students and the beginning of another.  We should be immensely proud of the young adults who leave us this summer, of what they have achieved and of the contribution that they have made to our school community. It is therefore a great pleasure to congratulate the Sixth Form Class of 2026 and to wish them every success and happiness as they take their next steps.  I very much hope that many will remain connected to the school through our alumni community, allowing us to follow and celebrate their achievements in the years ahead.  Read Full Article
26th June 2026

Proposed Crossing outside Guildford County School - Road Safety Consultation

The safety of our students, staff and wider community is always a key priority and this proposed crossing has the potential to make a significant difference to the safety of everyone travelling to and from school. We would be extremely grateful if you could take a few moments to scan the QR code on the attached poster and complete the consultation. It is vital that as many members of our school community as possible share their views so that Surrey County Council can fully understand the importance of this proposal. The consultation closes on Friday 24th July 2026, so please do respond before this date. Read Full Article
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