P.E. and Games at TGS

The Physical Education offered at TGS expanded significantly in September 2011 when the school established a PE & Games Department, employing a full time specialist sports teacher and a full time sports teaching assistant, in addition to the part time swimming and dance coaches already engaged. This has significantly boosted the range and quantity, as well as quality, of the sports teaching at the school. We are delighted that this department also embraces the specialism of class teachers, who are also enthusiastically participating in sports activities, whether helping out generally or by taking the lead as a netball coach. Physical Education plays a very large part in the life of a pupil at The Gower School. All levels and abilities are catered for in a school that believes firmly in equal opportunities.  With the use of superb indoor and outdoor facilities at Islington Tennis Centre, Market Road Pitches, Highbury Fields facilities and St Mary’s Church Hall, along with the availability of indoor swimming pools at Cally Road and Highbury Pools, we have the potential to help every child achieve his or her best. At TGS we believe in giving the children a broad experience of physical activities. Our focus is on teaching the skills required to participate in games, along with how to correctly handle equipment and a sense of fair play and sportsmanship. Our sports programme aims to promote enjoyment, encourage participation, improve skills and impart an appreciation of winning and losing. A wide range of games, PE and other physical activities are taught during the school day and after school. Sport doesn't only give young people the opportunity to feel physically fit and healthy, it also allows them the chance to express who they are out of the classroom environment, which we feel is vital in their development.  

Term	Nursery	Foundation	Lower School	Upper School
Autumn	Football (from Les Petits Lapins upwards), Yoga, Sports Skills, Tennis (Les Papillons and Les Dauphins)	Gymnastics, Multi skills, Swimming and Yoga (ballet, modern dance and gymnastics as after school clubs)	Fitness, Basketball, Football, Dance, Swimming and Yoga (ballet, modern dance and gymnastics as after school clubs)	Fitness, Basketball, Football, Netball and Swimming (swimming as afterschool club)
Spring	Football (from Les Petits Lapins upwards), Yoga, Sports Skills, Tennis (Les Papillons and Les Dauphins)	Gymnastics, Swimming, Handball and Yoga (ballet, modern dance and gymnastics offered as after school clubs)	Fitness, Handball, Dance, Tennis, Swimming and Yoga  (ballet, modern dance and gymnastics offered as after school clubs)	Fitness, Tag Rugby, Football, Handball, Netball and Swimming  (swimming as afterschool club)
Summer	Football (from Les Petits Lapins upwards), Yoga, Sports Skills, Tennis (Les Papillons and Les Dauphins)	Athletics, Swimming, Cricket and Yoga (ballet, modern dance and gymnastics offered as after school clubs)	Athletics, Rounders, Tennis,  Cricket, Swimming and Yoga(ballet, modern dance and gymnastics offered as after school clubs)	Athletics, Rounders, Tennis, Cricket and  Swimming (swimming as afterschool club)

 

Swimming

Swimming lessons take place at Cally Pool once a week from the term after a child’s fifth birthday up until they reach Upper Primary Level. The lessons are taught by our specialist games department, and all children are expected to participate. Children in the less advanced groups benefit from two instructors. Once children are in Upper Primary, rather than having lessons as part of the school day they are invited to attend swimming after school club on Monday afternoon's.

Cycling

Throughout the year there is an optional 5 week cycling proficiency course which is offered to parents. Children have one session per week with cycling specialists from Islington Council Cycle Training group Bikeability and learn a range of cycling skills.  

Yoga

We are proud to be an accredited YogaBeez school and we incorporate a range of yoga poses for relaxation into the classroom. All our staff are trained to work with a yoga curriculum which links into our main curriculum, and children very much enjoy the sessions.  

Please find more information on YogaBeez here. www.yogabeez.com