Sports
Physical Education and extra-curricular sport are at the core of the Maynard and we provide every student with access to the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to promote life-long participation in physical activity. All girls are given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of different sports and develop their individual skills, whilst learning the value of teamwork and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. We hope that by the time our students leave us they take with them a lifelong passion for sport.
We are regular Devon champions in the sporting arena for netball, hockey, athletics and equestrian whilst our tennis, swimming and basketball teams have built an enviable reputation as some of the best in the South West. The school is also host to County and National level sports women in hockey, netball, swimming, rowing, jiu jitsu, athletics, sailing, equestrian and gymnastics.
The Maynard invests heavily in our sports programme. We hire the very best coaches available, and have access to some of the South West’s premier sporting facilities through our association with the University of Exeter and other amenities.
The Maynard operates in excess of 60 extra-curricular clubs throughout each term, many of which are sports based. These are an excellent way to extend our elite performers and provide extra practice for all those keen to improve. We also support students in their endeavours outside of school and have had seen many individual successes in equestrian, athletics, gymnastics, sailing, rowing, ballet and jiu jitsu.
Our multi-dimensional sports programme for our most senior pupils has given students the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sports over the year, and this year students have enjoyed aerobics, Pilates, golf, fencing, kick-boxing and squash as well as the traditional sports on offer. This initiative has focused on the importance of health and fitness and the engagement of our pupils into a life-long love of sport. In addition our Lower 5 (Year 10) Sports Leaders run multi-sport sessions for Year 3 pupils from the local primary school for a term.
Maynard Me in PE: a game-changing approach
At the heart of The Maynard’s sports programme lies a bold vision: To prepare all pupils to lead healthy, active lifestyles. This ethos forms the foundation of a dynamic new curriculum and assessment policy that both measures physical prowess and celebrates personal growth. The ‘Maynard ME in PE’ approach is a game-changer, fostering not only physical skills but also nurturing life skills under five distinct pillars – Physical ME, Thinking ME, Personal ME, Social ME and Healthy ME.
In every PE lesson, students are encouraged to explore these facets, learning essential skills like communication, leadership, teamwork and the principles of healthy living. This holistic approach ensures that every student feels successful whether she’s mastering the rules of a new sport or developing the soft skills that will serve her throughout life.
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Sports on offer:
Netball
Netball is played on site from Years 3 to 13, over our one indoor and three outdoor netball courts. There are fixtures throughout the year.
Hockey
Hockey is played at the University of Exeter from Years 3 to 13, and players enjoy fixtures in the Autumn Term.
Dance
Dance is taught from Reception to Year 9, with additional clubs taught by specialist dance teachers in Ballet (Reception to Year 6), Modern Dance (Reception to Year 6), and Tap (Years 1 to 3). In Senior School we have two dance companies (Years 7 to 13) who perform throughout the year.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is taught from Reception to Year 9 in our Performing Arts Centre where we have a range of specialist gymnastics equipment. We have strong links with Exeter Gymnastics Club, where we take our extra-curricular Gymnastics Clubs for Years 4 to 9.
Cricket
Indoor and outdoor cricket is played from Years 3 to 13. We enter the annual Chance to Shine Cricket Competition, as well as playing a host of fixtures in the summer.
Football
Football is played in and out of lessons in Years 3 to 13, and Senior players can further test their skills by playing for a cup.
Rugby
We are proud sponsors of the Exeter Chiefs Women’s team, and rugby is played in and out of lessons from Years 3 to 13. Extracurricular rugby is coached by Exeter Chiefs players and fixtures are played in the Autumn and Spring Terms. We use Topsham Rugby Club and Saracens for training and fixtures.
Badminton
Badminton is played in lessons from Years 5 to 13, and multiple clubs and fixtures are available for keen players.
Tennis
Tennis is played in Years 3 to 13 and there are many opportunities to play fixtures and cup matches. There is also a Tennis Academy in the Junior School and lessons are available from an external coach for those wanting to stretch their abilities.
Swimming
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 swim for the Autumn and Spring Term. Years 3 to 8 swim for a term in their PE curriculum, and Year 9 have an option to swim. Swimming takes place at St Sidwells or St Lukes pool.
Martial Arts
Martial Arts Club is run in the Junior School from Years 3 to 6 and enables girls to work towards their Jiu Jitsu belt grades, instructed on site by visiting Exeter Martial Arts Club.
Aerobics & Fitness Classes
Fitness forms part of the PE curriculum, as well as opportunities for fitness-based clubs before school and at lunchtime. The Sixth Form can also use the Health & Fitness Suite in their free time.
Yoga
Yoga is taught in lessons to Pre-Prep girls from Reception to Year 2, and then offered as part of the PE curriculum from Years 9 to 13.
Athletics & Cross Country
Athletics lessons take place at Exeter Arena for Years 3 to 10. Cross Country takes place in Junior School lessons, and there are athletics and cross country competitions in the Senior School.
Outdoor & Adventurous Activities
There are several opportunities for outdoor and adventurous activities in the Junior School, and there is an option in Senior Games to go to Haven Banks, the South West’s premiere Outdoor Education & Training facility.
Handball
Handball is played as part of the PE curriculum in the Senior School and is a lunchtime club.
Basketball
Basketball is played as part of the PE curriculum in the Senior School and is a lunchtime club.
Pickleball
Pickleball is played as part of the PE curriculum in the Senior School and is a lunchtime club.
Rounders
Rounders is played as part of the PE curriculum in the Senior School and is a lunchtime club.
Squash
Squash is an option for Years 11 to 13 in Senior Games, and is a carousel activity in Year 10.
Golf
Golf is an option for Years 11 to 13 in Senior Games, and is a carousel activity in Year 10.
Trampolining
Trampolining is an option for Years 11 to 13 in Senior Games, and is a carousel activity in Year 10.
Equestrian Team
There are opportunities in the Senior School to join the equestrian team, representing The Maynard at a range of competitions.
PE at The Maynard is incredibly special, because it’s so inclusive and there is something that everyone will enjoy. It’s a time of the week that we all look forward to.
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