Highgate’s Sport and Exercise (SpEx) department has an expert team of teaching staff and coaches, many of whom have trained or competed in professional sports. Carly Brown is Head of SpEx for our Pre-Prep and Junior Schools and discusses how we encourage all pupils to participate in physical movement from an early age.
Can you tell us about your background before joining Highgate?
Dance has been a passion since I was at school, and it led me to study Dance Education at Canterbury Christ Church University. After graduation I ran after school clubs for children and young people teaching dance, and before joining Highgate, I worked at a sports education company, teaching and managing PE programmes for several primary schools around London.
I’ve always been an advocate for sport and exercise and that was partially to do with not having positive role models at school which all children need, whether they are sporty or not. I got into dance to build my confidence and I really enjoyed expressing myself through movement.
How do Pre-Prep and Junior School pupils experience sport and exercise?
Learning to be active from a young age is beneficial in so many ways, both as children and as they get older to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Physical literacy starts at Pre-Prep and our SpEx curriculum prepares them for more advanced skills in Junior School.
Highgate SpEx has a holistic approach to teaching and we don’t encourage children to specialise too early on in their learning journey, which is why we offer a broad sports and exercise curriculum for the pupils to experience. We encourage healthy participation, creating curiosity and interest for children to be confident in trying different things to eventually find a passion.
What are the highlights of teaching sport and exercise to young children?
Children deserve the best possible start in life, particularly when considering the many challenges they face in the modern world. As teachers, we have the privilege of watching young children turn into independent learners, exploring their surroundings and sparking curiosity as they navigate their way. Sport is a fantastic way to develop the ‘whole person’, not only physically, but mentally too. It equips young children with the characteristics to succeed and overcome adversity that may occur along the way.
Do boys and girls take part in sports together?
SpEx lessons are mixed at this early stage of children’s development. We believe this is key to promoting an inclusive and enjoyable learning environment that enables children to become more skillful learners and fluent movers.
At Highgate, we advocate for equality in co-educational sport, ensuring that pupils of all genders have the opportunity to take part in the sports they want to do, without any boundaries. We have a Head of Female Health and Sport who oversees initiatives with pupil ambassadors across the school, to advocate and educate for ways we can work together to ensure sport and exercise is inclusive and open to everyone.
How do children build strength and co-ordination?
Activities such as gymnastics and swimming play a key role in improving bone and muscle strength, whilst other activities such as athletic development, team games and net/wall hand eye games help to increase strength and co-ordination whilst targeting spatial awareness, balance, locomotion, rhythm and sequencing skills.
We believe swimming plays a fundamental role in children’s development. In Year 1 and 2, all children receive a 30-minute swimming lesson each week for the entire school year, in addition to two weekly sport and exercise lessons. Junior School pupils have one exercise and one sport lesson per week and Year 5 and 6 pupils have the choice of an extra sport session. There are also sport and exercise options within the co-curricular programme, such as morning and after-school clubs that offer paid tuition in everything from karate to skateboarding.
What sports facilities does Highgate have?
Both the Pre-Prep and Junior Schools are located on Bishopswood Road, just across the road from the school’s Mallinson Sports Centre, which is equipped with a 25-metre swimming pool, indoor courts, gym and a separate dance studio. We are fortunate to have extensive outdoor sports facilities here including all-weather pitches for tennis, football, hockey and netball, as well as grass playing fields for cricket, football etc. Pupils also benefit from being close to the green spaces of Hampstead Heath where we can take them on walks and for cross country.
How do SpEx activities change through the seasons?
Swimming continues through the entire school year for pupils in Year 1 and 2. The learning focus in all sport and exercise lessons changes every half term, which depends on the specific needs of the particular year group. In Michaelmas term, a stronger emphasis is placed on gymnastics and dance activities for the primary purpose of socialisation, body conditioning and enhancing self-confidence, particularly for Reception pupils, all of which is crucial to supporting learning in the classroom.
Towards the summer term, as the weather improves, we use the school’s outdoor facilities to focus on athletic based activities, striking and fielding activities and not forgetting sports day preparation.
Finally, what’s your favourite style of dance?
I specialised in contemporary dance and at university I was able to train in South Asian, African and Latin American dance which I love!
Find out more about Pre-Prep Sport here and Junior School Sport here
