Performance, participation and enrichment
Sport at Holmwood House
At Holmwood, sport is viewed as a cornerstone of personal development and well-being. From the age of three, children are introduced to movement and play by specialist staff. This early engagement, grounded in Cognitive Science and the teaching methods outlined in Doug Lemov’s Coach’s Guide to Teaching, ensures that sport is not only enjoyable but also meaningful. Pupils don’t just take part—they grow in confidence, develop key skills, and understand the game.
A key strength of Holmwood’s provision is its access to outstanding coaching. Pupils benefit from the expertise of external professionals—such as a Welsh Masters hockey player, the Head of Braintree Netball Club, and a Northampton Saints rugby coach—working alongside dedicated in-house staff. This partnership approach ensures high-level instruction across multiple sports. The results speak volumes: six county hockey players and five county cricket players emerged from a Year 8 cohort of just 28 pupils. Meanwhile, the U11 Girls’ victory in the Essex Netball Cup—achieved with a team selected from only 15 pupils—is a shining example of how tailored, high-quality coaching delivers outstanding outcomes.
Beyond netball and hockey, Holmwood pupils excel across the board. The school celebrated an IAPS Squash Champion, and its swimming teams regularly succeed in IAPS Aquathlons and Galas, thanks to specialist swimming coaches. The school also supports more niche sports, with the Clay Pigeon Shooting Team undertaking specialist training to compete at IAPS level.
Holmwood’s facilities are exceptional for a school of our size and are fully integrated into the curriculum and co-curricular offering. A standout feature is the on-site Rackets Centre, where all our primary pupils spend part of their Autumn term receiving focused squash and tennis training. These sessions not only improve sporting skill but also enhance gross motor development and classroom concentration. Sport is inclusive and central to school life—every child from Year 3 onwards represents the school, often weekly, fostering teamwork, resilience, and a deep sense of community.
The sporting experience at Holmwood reaches far beyond the pitch. Events such as parent vs. child matches, staff vs. pupil games, and a recent parent and child tennis tournament promote community engagement and fun. The now-famous “match teas” create an inviting atmosphere for families and friends to connect. Perhaps most importantly, the joy and enthusiasm pupils show often lead them to join local clubs, signalling a lasting love of sport.
Whether it’s the determined sprint across a muddy rugby pitch, or the focused stillness before a serve in tennis, the fields and halls of Holmwood are alive with the energy, pride, and pure joy of children growing through sport. Holmwood cultivates not just athletes, but well-rounded, resilient individuals with a lifelong passion for sport.
