Equestrian
Any pupil who has their own horse or pony is encouraged to compete for the school. We are members of the NSEA (National Schools Equestrian Association) and we actively support their events in dressage, show jumping and eventing. There are additional local inter-school events which we enter wherever possible.
Some recent accolades include pupils finishing in the top 3 of the county rounds in all three disciplines. Martha Miles and Sydney Bond qualified for and completed at the National Championships at Addington Manor in 2019 in the Dressage and Jumping with Style (JWS) competitions respectively. Previously, Plymouth College pupils have won the ISODE at Stonar School and the schools British Equestrian ODE at Bicton.
Athletics
Athletics is taught to all age groups and is run after school as a club in the summer term. Pupils are also encouraged to join the local athletics club to increase their training opportunities.
Recently we have entered teams into all the Year 7, 8 and 9 Plymouth Schools’ Championships with much success. Several pupils have gone on to represent Plymouth and Devon in their chosen event. We regularly have pupils in Years 7 & 8 selected to compete as part of Team Drake at the IAPS National Athletics Championships. This summer Year 10 pupils Molly Shorey, Jed Hutchins, Angus Harris and Nubia Evans-Shield all competed successfully in the British Schools National Championships, with Jed winning silver in the Junior Boys 1500m and Nubia becoming champion in the Junior Girls' Discus.
A Whole School Sports Day is held on the Brickfields all-weather facilities in the summer term. All pupils in the school take part in these highly competitive but very enjoyable events to earn points for their house and to claim the house and individual sports trophies.
School Swimming
Plymouth College has an international reputation for swimming, and whilst some of pupils compete amongst the best swimmers in the country, all pupils have access to our on-site 25m pool.
Pupils in all year groups have the opportunity participate in relay and individual competitions and also the Aquathlon as a representative of their House.
Swimming matches against other schools are also organised for swimmers without a national time and each year, Plymouth College enters the Devon Schools Relay Gala. On top of this, we compete against other Plymouth schools in the DRSA organised gala.
Our best swimmers will compete in the ESSA National Secondary Schools Championship. This consists of two 4x50m relays for junior (Year 7-8), intermediate (Year 9-10) and senior (Year 11-13) swimmers. We take the swimmers to the South West Regional round in September each year. The times from these relays are then ranked nationally, and the top 30 teams from England are invited to compete at the National Finals held in November each year at the London 2012 Olympic Aquatic Centre.
Cross-Country
Run Coaching is delivered to a group of runners, pentathletes and track athletes on a Tuesday after school. Coaching is overseen by Run Coach Andy Norris. Training takes place at nearby Central Park or Victoria Park. Sessions are tailored around event schedules and are usually threshold runs; shorter intense reps; longer 3 - 5 minute intervals at VO2 Max or a steady run round Plymouth Hoe to taper.
