The aims and vision of the Physical Education department are threefold: 

• Participation - providing a wide range of activities for pupils to try to find 'their thing' and encouraging participation for all abilities.  

• Performance - offering competitive opportunities to the highest levels to develop our elite sportswomen allowing them to excel in the sporting arena.  

• Passion - to inspire our students to foster a lifelong love of sport so that they continue to lead healthy, active lifestyles beyond Newlands.  

In order to achieve these, we ensure that all students have access to a wide range of sports and physical activities throughout all Key Stages.  From Year 7, students build upon fundamental movement skills developed in Primary School; through Key Stage 4 Core PE lessons, students focus on developing their leadership skills; by Year 12, students have the autonomy to select from a choice of activities which build on their prior knowledge. All students experience an outstanding and inspiring Physical Education curriculum.  Quality first teaching ensures that our inclusive and stimulating curriculum is accessible to all.   Through the activities students are taught, they are encouraged to develop teamwork, take on leadership roles and reflect on both successes and failure to build confidence and foster resilience, all of which empower them for lifelong learning. 

At Key Stage 4 and 5 those students with an aptitude for the subject are encouraged to choose GCSE and A Level PE.  They experience exceptional academic teaching which facilitates them in linking the practical skills and knowledge developed at Key Stage 3 to more demanding theoretical concepts. 

Students are also supported to further develop their sporting abilities through our wide and varied extra-curricular programme which provides students with access to over 20 different sports and activities throughout the year.  Clubs are provided for all abilities: from recreational activities through to squads for which students are selected by ability.  When competing, we regularly enter local leagues as well as county and regional competitions.  In netball, gymnastics and athletics we have been successful with both teams and individuals representing the school at national level.  Our interhouse competitions also provide opportunities for increased participation, for students to compete against others and help to develop a sense of community through our house system.  

Sports Captains, chosen from Key Stage 4 and 5, are pivotal in supporting staff to provide opportunities for pupils.  Not only are they excellent role models and leaders, many of them will also give generously of their time to choreograph, lead warm ups and drills and officiate across a wide range of sports.