Ethos

Cranleigh School provides a wide and varied programme of sporting activities for all pupils. High standards are set for the numerous competitive teams, with an extensive programme of fixtures at all levels, and for all ages. ‘Sport for All’ is a key philosophy, supported by an experienced and talented team of coaches that includes an ex-Olympic gold medallist (Hockey), several ex-England players (Rugby, Netball and Cricket) and an Oxford Blue (Hockey). We aim to involve as many of our pupils as possible in competitive fixtures, whilst at the same time seeking to stretch our most able sportsmen and sportswomen, providing opportunities for them to achieve excellence in a wide range of sports. Individuals and teams are encouraged to achieve success at county, regional and national level.

In the Michaelmas term the majority sports are hockey for girls, and rugby for boys; in the Lent term the majority sports are netball for girls, and hockey for boys. All pupils in the IVth and LVth Forms take part in the majority sport, whilst an element of choice is gradually introduced for the older pupils. During the winter terms, matches are also played in lacrosse, cross country, golf, water polo, soccer, fives, rugby sevens, canoeing, basketball, riding, shooting and squash. These ‘minority’ sports can be played in addition to the majority sport of the term, or, in some cases, can be chosen as the main sport of the term for UVth and VIth Formers. Badminton is also available in the VIth Form. In the Summer term, team sports include cricket, tennis, swimming, athletics, golf and rounders, with an inter-House mixed-sports league operating for pupils not involved in the team squads.

All pupils take part in sports sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, with an extra team practice on Fridays for many pupils. IVth Formers have an additional sports session each week, where they all take part in one of the minority sports. Every Saturday afternoon a full programme of inter-school fixtures takes place: on most weeks this will involve almost all the pupils in the IVth and LVth Forms. Any Lower School pupils not involved in the matches take part in an alternative sports session.

The activity programme also provides opportunities for involvement in many of the minority sports, along with fencing, dance, climbing, conditioning and life-saving.

Overseas tours are regularly organised, with a recent boys’ rugby tour to New Zealand and Fiji, and forthcoming tours being a girls’ lacrosse tour to Prague and a cricket tour to the West Indies.