Rye St Antony offers a diverse selection of sport and fitness activities through the curriculum, extra-curricular activities and via our wide range of clubs. These include Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Athletics, Rounders, Badminton, Aerobics and Dance, Swimming, Fitness, Rowing, Cross-Country and Self-Defence.

We aim to provide inclusive and progressive Physical Education and develop our pupils’ knowledge and commitment to fitness and lifelong health. Through this we promote positive attitudes, celebration of success and long-term development towards independent learning.

We allow each pupil to flourish in a range of pursuits as an individual, taking into account ability, interests and needs – equipping them with the skills to continue a healthy relationship with sport throughout adulthood.

Ten reasons our pupils love sport at Rye St Antony: 

  • Improving fitness
  • Developing skills and techniques
  • Working together as a team
  • Being physically active
  • Expressing themselves through freedom of movement
  • Being competitive
  • Representing the school
  • Trying a range of sports
  • Increasing confidence
  • Relieving stress
PE in Prep School

Physical Education starts from a very early age at Rye and is an integral part of a pupil’s school week.

To build a solid foundation in sport our younger pupils start with developing their fundamental motor skills:

  • Catching
  • Throwing
  • Running
  • Jumping
  • Kicking
  • Hitting

This is achieved through a range of ball skills, dance, gymnastic and athletic activities.

These vital skills are teamed with:

  • Learning how to win and lose
  • How to work as a team
  • Communication
  • Problem solving
  • Obtaining their maximum levels
  • Understanding commitment

From Year 3 in the Prep School, Physical Education is taught by a specialist Physical Education teacher and pupils begin to participate in team sports, competing against other schools from Year 5 (From Year 4 pupils also compete in Cross Country). Success is rewarded and celebrated with an imaginative range of awards and incentives.

PE in the Senior School

By the time our pupils reach Senior School, they will already possess the skills to enjoy sport and Physical Education lessons to the full. Each girl is offered a chance to take part in a wide range of activities that challenge and develop her abilities to enable success.

Moving through the Senior School, girls are given more responsibility to take ownership of their activities according to their interests and abilities. Girls are encouraged to take part in a broad and balanced range of activities and understand the importance of facilitating their route into sport and physical activity after school. Lifelong involvement is positively encouraged, and our Physical Education Department works hard to support links with community sports clubs and activities of interest.

Girls and teachers at Rye appreciate the excitement and extra challenge that being competitive allows. To this end we offer a comprehensive fixture list that allows girls to push themselves further, feel part of a team and experience the honour of representing the school. We organise many fixtures against local schools, participate in relevant county championships and organise other opportunities to view or participate in our main school sports. Girls are also encouraged to apply for a leadership role, sports scholarships and are frequently nominated for developmental pathways.

The school recognises that physical excellence should be rewarded. As a result Physical Education can be chosen as a GCSE option. Within this course girls are rewarded for their dedication and achievement in sport within and outside school as half of their awarded grade is based wholly on their attainment in their four chosen sports.

PE in the Sixth Form

Our Sixth Form girls take part in a wide range of timetabled activities each week including a Sixth Form timetabled lesson, extra-curricular clubs and numerous organised fixtures. They are also encouraged to help during school clubs as leaders. Our Sixth Formers also make full use of the excellent facilities within the school’s purpose-built sports hall including a well-equipped fitness suite.

Sporting Facilities at Rye

At Rye St Antony we are lucky enough to be situated on a spacious 12 acre site very close to central Oxford.

Our facilities include:

  • Purpose built sports hall, large enough to accommodate a netball court, four badminton courts and a fitness suite
  • A 6-a-side Astroturf, 6 tennis courts, 3 netball courts
  • Full size hockey/athletics pitch on our playing field
  • Outdoor heated swimming pool for the summer months