Our ethos is strong. Sport is inclusive and individual and team perseverance is key. We engage in sport every day, compete in weekly fixtures and enjoy elite coaching from professional players and national governing body accredited coaches through our in-house sports department and a bespoke external Masterclass programme.
Swanbourne children represent us in a number of IAPS tournaments, in the UK and abroad, and also play sport at club, county and national level. Girls’ sport is given every bit as much attention and focus as boys’ sport.
At Swanbourne, we believe in a proactive, positive, energetic approach to teaching. Effective professional relationships between the staff and both children and parents, are crucial to providing a stimulating learning environment that celebrates the achievements of every individual and enables pupils to reach their full potential in all aspects of their development.
Our PE curriculum aims to develop fundamental movement skills from an early age. Pupils become increasingly competent and confident and access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination, individually and with others. Children should be able to engage in competitive and co-operative physical activities, in a range of increasingly challenging situations. We participate in daily physical education and promote physical literacy to support physical, cognitive, and behavioural well-being.
Competitive Approach
+The Swanbourne approach is ‘Don’t win at all costs’. Skill, fitness and self-belief are all vital components to success. Swanbourne pupils understand that reflection and self improvement are required to move forwards from defeat.
Facilities
+Our extensive facilities include premium pitches (grass and all-weather pitches), tennis courts, squash court, golf course, athletics track, indoor sports hall, dance and gymnastics studio and indoor swimming pool. Seasonal and termly sports include rugby, hockey, netball, football, lacrosse, cricket, athletics, swimming and tennis with extended opportunities across dance, gymnastics, clay pigeon shooting, triathlon, fencing, skiing, volleyball, badminton, golf and yoga.
Individual Coaching
+We offer individual, paired and group lessons across all our year groups in a range of sports such as swimming, golf and tennis.
Matches
+ All our teams play regularly and maintain a high standard of performance, achieving great success in inter school matches and local and national tournaments. Matches for children in Year 5 and Year 6 are primarily played on Wednesdays, with Year 7 and Year 8 competing on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays. We take part in sports tournaments throughout each term. Year 3 and Year 4 play matches on Tuesday afternoons. Professional coaches and referees support our fixtures.
GAME
+GAME (Growing And Moving Everyone) is an option on the Saturday Enrichment Programme run by Mr Paul Burton-Pye. It is open to all children who enjoy the challenge of physical activities and competition. The course includes theory on nutrition, sports psychology and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Sports on offer
Athletics
+A popular sport at Swanbourne with children taking part in cross country during the Autumn and Spring terms and track and field events in the Summer term. Children in Year 3 and Year 4 take part in inter-school festivals, whilst our older athletes have the chance to compete at several triangular events and IAPS competitions. All children participate in our annual School Sports Day.
Cricket
+Both girls and boys play cricket as their main Summer sport at Swanbourne. From Year 3 upwards, pupils take part in an increasingly extensive fixture programme that allows every child to play regularly. Children who are showing a particular passion and talent for cricket have the opportunity to take part in a Winter Training Programme. A number of Swanbourne cricketers meet with success every year in county selections.
Cross Country
+Cross Country running is strong at Swanbourne. Pupils rise to the challenge of the Swanbourne Endeavour, a gruelling, wet and muddy obstacle race and the Swanbourne Chase, our famous inter-prep school competition which attracts over 300 entrants each year. Running Clubs are offered from the 6s.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
+Clay Pigeon Shooting has been offered as part of our Saturday Enrichment Programme. We compete at the IAPS Clay Shooting Championships with regular success, winning the U12 national championship in 2019. Hosted by Stowe School, the annual Swanbourne parent and child clay shooting tournament is another highlight in our sporting calendar.
Climbing
+We regularly offer climbing at Big Rock in Milton Keynes. Climbing is a superb activity to focus the mind and improve stamina and endurance with the added benefit of a full body workout. The club follows the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS), that assesses 5 levels of increasingly demanding technical skills and knowledge.
Dance
+Dance is offered at a young age, with clubs like Disco Babies introducing children to the world of movement and music. Dance is progressed throughout the school with a specialist dance teacher offering classes in ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap and street dance as well as an auditioned, competitive dance troupe.
Fencing
+This sport is coached by an external expert who is a British Fencing coach with over 40 years of fencing experience and runs a sword club in Bedfordshire. Fencing is offered to children in Year 3 to Year 8 either as an after school activity or part of our Saturday Enrichment Programme.
Football
+Boys play regular fixtures across all year groups from Year 3 upwards. A combination of 5, 7 and 9-a-side matches are played by boys in Year 3 to Year 6. Senior teams play 11-a-side football. Our girls also enjoy football and we are delighted to support two girls who continue to enjoy much success playing for MK Dons.
Golf
+Golf is taught in sports lessons from Year 3 with additional individual and group coaching available. There is an annual parent and child competition which attracts many of our talented golfing families.
Hockey
+Boys and girls take part in hockey sessions over the course of the first two terms. The girls play matches throughout the Autumn term, whilst the boys play in the Spring term. Matches are played either 7, 9 or 11-a-side. Both boys’ and girls’ teams compete at IAPS and prep school tournaments and achieve success at all levels. We support a number of Swanbourne pupils through to club and county hockey squads.
Mountain Biking
+Run regularly as a Saturday Enrichment Activity by fully qualified and accredited M.I.A.S coaches. The 7 sessions will consist of skills, maintenance, training and
of course riding on various trails through the inspirational forestry environment.
of course riding on various trails through the inspirational forestry environment.
Netball
+In the Spring term all girls’ teams participate in netball sessions in preparation for an extensive fixture list. The U11, U12 and U13 teams compete in IAPS and other prep school tournaments and enjoy regular success. We are delighted to support one of our senior girls who has been selected to play for Milton Keynes.
Rugby
+Rugby is available to boys and girls from Foundation. Boys’ rugby progresses from ‘tag’ in Year 3 to ‘contact’ in Year 4. Children play fixtures throughout the term as well as tournaments and competitions at a local and regional level.
Skiing
+ We compete at the IAPS Ski Championships and train weekly in Milton Keynes, where our squad are given specialist race training in Slalom and Ski Cross. The annual Swanbourne Ski Trip is a long standing tradition and is an opportunity for all children across the school to have fun with their family and friends.
Swimming
+We are fortunate to benefit from our very own 20m indoor pool in which we train and compete. Children start swimming in Foundation and when joining Year 3, are invited to attend time trials for a place in ‘Swim Squad’. This is an exceptional opportunity for stronger swimmers to develop their technique and fitness and represent Swanbourne at competitions and galas. ‘Junior’ and ‘Senior’ swim clubs are also offered as an after-school activity.
Tennis
+Children play tennis all year round under the instruction of professional coaches. From mini tennis, to inter school festivals, competitive matches and the Annual Repton Tournament, there are a wealth of opportunities to participate and progress.
Triathlon
+Triathlon club offers a unique opportunity to improve performance in three challenging disciplines. Led by three times Ironman race finisher, Mr Burton-Pye has an unrivalled knowledge and passion for the exacting standards and mental attitude required of a successful triathlete.
Yoga
+Yoga is offered throughout the school. Foundation to Year 2 can take part in ‘Tatty Bumpkin’ Yoga which is a fun and playful introduction to the basics. From Year 3, children continue to develop core skills and progress to more advanced movements.