Every Child on the Team: Sport for All at Pocklington School | Pocklington School | Private Day & Boarding School In East Yorkshire near York

The sound of laughter carries across the playing fields at Pocklington Prep. It’s a Games afternoon, there are three simultaneous games of hockey taking place, all perfectly pitched to the level of each small group. There are no benches filled with substitutes here - everyone is involved, everyone has a role, and everyone is learning what it means to be part of a team.

Emily Kendra, Prep School Teacher and Games Coach, says this is where the journey begins: 

“From the moment children join us in the Prep School, our focus is on confidence, enjoyment and belonging. We want every child to see sport as something for them - a way to move, to laugh, to challenge themselves, and to discover what they can do.”

It’s a simple philosophy that runs through the heart of Pocklington School’s approach to sport: every child plays, every child progresses, every child matters.

Across the Prep and Senior Schools, sport is not about producing a select few elite players; it’s about nurturing a love of movement and teamwork that lasts a lifetime. Pocklington pupils experience a wide variety of sports, from netball, rugby and hockey to swimming, cricket, athletics, and cross-country, and they’re encouraged to try everything.

"We see confidence build when a pupil discovers a sport they never expected to enjoy. They may not be top in the team, but they learn discipline, leadership and the joy of working hard together. It's about the buzz of putting on the school kit and representing something bigger than yourself."

Lucy Hornby

Head of Co-curriculum

That sense of belonging is intentional. Fixtures are organised so that every pupil gets a chance to represent the school, whether it’s in a competitive team or an inter-house event. Older students also help coach and mentor younger ones - a hallmark of the Pocklington ethos, where inclusion builds community.

David Byas, Director of Sport, believes this inclusive approach creates the foundations for character and resilience.

Sport is the perfect vehicle for teaching life lessons. You learn how to win well, how to lose well, and how to support others. Whether you’re in the A team or the development squad, those lessons are the same.”

He adds that participation is never at odds with ambition. Pocklington has an excellent record of producing county and regional athletes, but that success, he insists, “comes from the same inclusive roots - giving everyone the opportunity to learn, to fail safely, and to grow stronger.”

The emphasis on every child taking part has also shaped the school’s sports facilities and programmes. From the multi-sport astro turf and indoor training centre to the swimming pool, spaces are designed for adaptability and access, supporting both performance and participation.

In the Prep School, the focus is on fun and foundation skills. Children aged four to eleven are introduced to a broad range of sports and physical activities designed to develop agility, balance, and coordination. Lessons are playful and inclusive, but they’re also carefully structured to teach teamwork, empathy, and resilience.

By the time pupils move up to the Senior School, they’ve already learned to value their own contribution. They’ve experienced both victory and disappointment, and they understand that effort and attitude matter just as much as results.

"It's wonderful to see pupils who joined us in Prep now captaining Senior teams. They remember what it felt like to be encouraged when they were younger, and they carry that same spirit forward. It's a cycle of support."

Georgia Hird

Head of Co-curriculum

Walk past the sports fields on any given afternoon, and you’ll see pupils of every age and ability taking part - from Prep pupils discovering the joy of their first match to Sixth Formers mentoring younger teams.

The school’s fixtures calendar is full, but the spirit of competition is balanced by compassion. Staff and pupils celebrate effort, sportsmanship, and teamwork as much as trophies. The result is a school where sport builds friendships, fuels confidence, and strengthens the values that carry pupils through life.

“At Pocklington, we believe in courage, truth and trust - and sport embodies all three. Our aim is simple: every pupil should feel proud to represent their school, whatever their level.”

David Byas

Head of Sport

Pocklington School’s inclusive sports philosophy means that every pupil has the chance to belong, to grow, and to find joy in movement. From the smallest Prep child to the oldest Sixth Former, sport is a shared experience that unites the community in energy, pride, and friendship.

Find out more about Sport and Co-curricular life at Pocklington School.