Athletics
Athletics is the main summer sport during Physical Education lessons for all pupils in the prep school. The standard of athletics is extremely high, with a proud tradition and outstanding reputation.
The staff involved in the coaching and delivering of athletics both during lessons and the after school sessions are well qualified and experienced, and have produced numerous National Champions during the last five years.
The pupils have the opportunity to use two separate athletics tracks. The senior 400 metres track is mainly used for the after school club sessions, whereas the junior 200 metres track is regularly used in lessons throughout the summer term.
The athletics fixture list includes several of the strongest athletics schools in the country, and also leads on to regional and possibly national championships. The expectation of those athletes who represent the school is extremely high, as the school has produced many National medal winners and several National records.
The season culminates in the annual inter-club athletics championships (Sports Day), where all pupils represent their clubs in their chosen sport.
Cricket
Cricket is played by boys from Year 4 to Year 8 and girls from Year 5 to Year 8 in the Trinity Term. Wellingborough School has a proud tradition for cricket with over 40 ex county cricketers attending the school.
The coaching staff at Wellingborough Preparatory School is impressive. We are fortunate to have the former Northamptonshire CC captain David Sales and his team provide the pupils with winter nets in our sports hall. In addition to ex professionals, the coaching team has some talented cricketers who are well qualified to teach cricket. The whole coaching team work tirelessly to provide the best possible provision.
The facilities at the school are outstanding. There are two indoor nets which enable out of season sessions to be provided, as well as five Astro outdoor nets which provide the consistency of bounce which is so important for cricket coaching. There are four grass cricket squares; the ground staff do a great job to ensure that the wickets are of a good standard conducive to safe and interesting cricket.
We have a highly competitive fixture list and our cricketers enjoy the opportunity to play against other schools in wonderful settings. The U13 team travel to Suffolk on a mini tour which includes the prestigious Brandeston tournament. We also host an entertaining U9 quick cricket tournament each year.
Equestrian
Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the Equestrian Team with a range of activities on offer throughout the year. Pupils do need to have their own ponies or horses to participate.
Training sessions with professionally qualified instructors provide our riders with the opportunity to build confidence and improve their skills alongside other members of the team at a range of venues across Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.
We enter teams from all three parts of the school into Inter-Schools Show Jumping, Cross-Country, Arena Eventing and Dressage competitions. Our teams have qualified and successfully competed in National Schools Equestrian Association Championships and have represented the school at The Royal Windsor Horse Show.
In the Trinity Term we host our own annual Inter-Schools Show Jumping competition. This is one of only 17 NSEA Championship Qualifiers held nationally each year so it is always well-attended and highly competitive.
Prep Football
Football is played by all boys from Year 4 until Year 8 in the Lent Term. Football has a long and proud tradition at Wellingborough School.
The Preparatory School coaching team is well qualified with ex semi-professional footballers among its coaching team. Dedicated and experienced coaches and teachers work tirelessly to ensure that the boys are given the best possible coaching at all levels.
The football facilities at Wellingborough Preparatory School are outstanding. The two floodlit full size Astro turfs are used extensively for football. The floodlit provision enables the pupils to train and coach at any time throughout the year. The fantastic surface of the Astro turfs ensures that the boys are able to develop a confidence with their first touch and pass. The grass and indoor provision are also excellent with an abundance of pitches ensuring that several sides are able to represent the school at one time. The indoor sports hall is a useful facility as it provides a warm, dry provision all year round.
The school provides the boys with an extensive fixture list. They play against other independent schools from Year 4 until Year 8. Regular home and away fixtures ensure that they are provided with a wonderful competitive experience. The highest possible standard of behaviour and manners are expected and we ensure that our visitors are treated with the respect they deserve. The U13 and U11 teams represent the school at the IAPS tournaments. The U11s play in the annual floodlit Astro tournament against local maintained schools.
Prep Hockey
Hockey is played by girls from Year 4 to Year 8 in the Michaelmas Term.
Many of the coaching staff played hockey to a high standard and/or are well qualified. The coaching team of coaches and teachers work tirelessly to ensure that the girls gain the best possible education.
The facilities for hockey at the school are outstanding. We are one of only a few schools in the country who have two floodlit Astro turf hockey pitches. This provides the opportunity for excellent coaching in varying conditions and light. The indoor sports hall also enables indoor hockey to be played when necessary.
The girls at U9, U10, U11 and U13 are provided with a highly competitive fixture list against local independent schools. They also play in the Midlands IAPS tournaments at U13 and U11. We host and play in the very popular and successful annual floodlit hockey tournament. The U13 girls also embark on a highly enjoyable mini tour to Norfolk each year in the Lent Term.
Prep Netball
Netball is played by girls from Year 4 to Year 8 in the Lent Term.
The coaching staff are well qualified and experienced. The coaching team are continually updating their knowledge of both umpiring and coaching. Both Senior and Preparatory School staff are used to ensure that the girls are provided with an excellent netball education.
The netball facilities at Wellingborough Preparatory school are outstanding. There are five hard courts and 6 Astro courts available to the pupils at the school. This ensures that the girls are able to play netball in varying conditions and light.
The girls are provided with an excellent fixture list against local independent and maintained schools. They also participate in the IAPS tournaments at U13 and U11. They have recently been successful in the county netball championships.
Prep Rugby
Rugby is played by boys from Years 4 to Year 8 in the Michaelmas Term. The standard of rugby is good and we hope to add to our excellent reputation for rugby in the future.
The school is fortunate to have a number of qualified rugby coaches who have played the sport to a very high standard. The coaching team is made up of teachers or coaches who work tirelessly to improve the standard of rugby at all levels.
The facilities at the school are outstanding. The coaches use the vast floodlit Astro and grass provision extensively to ensure the boys are able to play rugby as often as possible in all conditions and light. The vast amount of outdoor grass facilities enable teams, of all standards and ages, to play on well-manicured, well-drained and impressive pitches.
The fixture list against local independent and maintained school is well planned to ensure that the boys (Year 4 to Year 8) are provided with the best possible competition. There are extremely high expectations of behaviour and manners, and we try to provide the best possible welcome to our visitors. The U13 rugby team undertake a mini tour to places such as Worcester, Norfolk or Surrey.
