Sport
Sport at Caterham
Caterham School enjoys an enviable reputation for producing highly successful individual and team performances in a wide range of sports.
Excellence is pursued whole heartedly (many pupils achieving county, national or international representative honours), but the aim is also to cater for every pupil at their own level of ability and enthusiasm. While pupils are encouraged and pushed to reach their full potential, the main goal of fun and enjoyment is always at the forefront. The PE staff are committed to giving all players a positive experience of sport and introducing pupils to the sportsmanship and camaraderie that are so closely linked to physical activity.
All pupils have a carefully considered games programme and the opportunity to play competitively at School and House level. A full fixture list and regular major games tours – both domestically and internationally - are part of this provision.
More than 20 sports are on offer at Caterham, with most pupils involved at all levels three or four times a week. Coaching is provided by expert PE staff and academic teachers, and is supplemented in many areas by visiting professionals and specialists.
Sportsmen and women are becoming more and more athletic with speed, power and strength becoming important pre-requisites for success. With this in mind, Caterham pupils benefit from early morning fitness sessions as well as access to a new free-weights gym. The School has a strength and conditioning coach and specialist fitness programmes are prepared for pupils.
It is recognised that technological advances can be used to aid and improve sporting performance. With this in mind, video analysis is used throughout the PE department with teams and individuals being given visual feedback on a regular basis. The recent purchase of a number of iPads for the department allows coaches to give performers instant advice that is supported by visual evidence, speeding up the process of improving technique.
The main sports for boys are: Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Tennis and Athletics. The main sports for girls are: Lacrosse, Netball, Swimming Tennis, Athletics, and Rounders. Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Squash and Table Tennis, are also very popular.
The exceptional sporting facilities which make all of this possible include some of the very best grass pitches in the south of England, a floodlit Astroturf, a 25 metre indoor swimming pool, five netball courts and a very large and fully equipped double sports centre. The School is also very fortunate to have a new (Summer 2012) sports pavilion and bar that offers spectators a very enjoyable match-day experience. The School also makes use of its Hill Fields and new pavilion, a short walk away on Caterham-on-the-Hill.
If pupils are selected to represent the School in a fixture, they are expected to attend. The School recognises that there are sometimes exceptional circumstances that mean a child cannot play in a match – in these circumstances we ask that the relevant Head of sport is informed at least two weeks in advance. In the event of a last minute drop-out from a fixture, pupils or parents should contact the relevant team coach as soon as possible. If he or she cannot be reached, a message can be left with Director of Sport, Rob Clarke who can be contacted on 01883 335103.
Pupils and parents should familiarise themselves with the department's kit policy. Pupils are expected to be smartly turned out when representing the School.
The School is now an avid user of www.schoolssports.com where pupils and parents can find information about fixtures, results, reports and photographs. Caterham's page on the site can be found here School Sports.
Biographies
Rob Clarke BSc (Hons) – Director of Sport, Head of Rugby, PE Teacher
Having grown up in the rugby league heartland of Widnes, Rob had an oval ball in his hands from a very early age. He grew up watching his hometown club and was inspired by players such as Davies, Offiah, Tait and Deveraux. Having played both rugby league and union at representative level throughout his schooling, Rob went to Loughborough University, during which time he was selected for the Great Britain Rugby League squad. Alas, a career in professional rugby league was not to be and Rob soon defected to rugby union, a sport in which he has represented Surrey at Twickenham. Having gained a BSc in Sports Science and Management at Loughborough, he stayed on to complete his PGCE in Physical Education. Attracted by the bright lights of Greater London, his first teaching job was at Trinity School, Croydon where he taught for six years. Rob joined Caterham as Director of Sport and Head of Rugby in 2009.
Jaclyn Leach BSc (Hons) – Head of Academic PE, Head of Netball, PE Teacher
Having been at Caterham School since 2009, there is still no place I would rather be. Set in such an amazing valley, working here means that I don't miss the green of Rochdale too much. Netball is obviously my number one sport – highlights of my playing career include captaining Loughborough 1st team and winning BUSA, and then going on to captain the English and British Universities teams. Vice-captaining England U18 team is also something I am proud of – but it seems a very long time ago now! My biggest highlight as coach so far is when the 1st VII became U19 Surrey Champions last season – but to be perfectly honest, working with such a talented, committed, competitive and fun set of girls means that there is a highlight to be had pretty much every single day. Go NetCats!
Andrew Patterson MA – Head of Hockey, PE Teacher
A graduate of the University of Ulster. Andrew is a former Ireland Hockey and Cricket International. He previously taught at King's College School, Wimbledon. He is Head of Hockey at Caterham and the sport is flourishing under his command. Andrew is also Co-ordinator of Clubs and Societies at the school.
Rachel Hart BA (Hons) – Head of Swimming, PE Teacher
Rachel graduated from Loughborough University in June 2011 having obtained an honours degree in Sports Science and English, followed by a PGCE in Physical Education. Having represented Cambridgeshire County at Netball and Swimming in her school days, she then went on to represent Loughborough University at Netball as well as coaching the university teams. During her time in the Midlands she also played Lacrosse as well as teaching swimming at a camp in America for two consecutive summers. She has been at Caterham since September 2011 and is extremely passionate about encouraging all pupils to reach their full potential.
Henry Jones BSc – Boys Sports Coach, Strength and Conditioning Specialist
After graduating from Loughborough University in 2010, with a degree in Sports Science with Management, Henry decided to put into practice what he had learnt as a Graduate Sports Coach at Caterham School from September 2010 to July 2011. The outstanding and rewarding experience he gained from just the one year at Caterham, enthused him to stay with the PE department and undertake the role of Strength and Conditioning Specialist. In this role he conducts all of the fitness related aspects of training at the School, for both boys and girls of all ages. Henry also takes a rugby team, a hockey team and is heavily involved with the coaching of cricket. Henry is a county standard cricketer and has recently come out of the Loughborough National Cricket Academy.
Lorne Barnard BSc (Hons) Teacher of Psychology, Sports Coach
Lorne graduated from Loughborough University having obtained a Honours degree in Psychology with Ergonomics. Lorne originally worked at Caterham School for two years in the Games' department, as well as being a Senior Boarding House Tutor. Having played hockey for England Students and Loughborough University 1st XI, it is little surprise that Lorne has had a major impact on hockey at Caterham. In 2011 he coached the U14 team to the National Finals, which placed them in the top eight schools in the country. Although the team could not repeat that in 2012, they were unbeaten in their regular Saturday fixtures.
Anna Murch BSc – Graduate Sports Coach
Anna studied at Caterham School from 2001-2008 and represented the school's 1st team in Lacrosse, Netball and Athletics. She graduated from the University of Exeter in BSc Exercise and Sports Science in 2011. Anna represented England Lacrosse at the European Championships in 2008, winning a silver medal. She was part of the Senior England training squad for four years and represented England U21 Lacrosse for three years in the Home Internationals. Anna has also played lacrosse for Senior South England, Junior South England, Surrey U18 and Surrey U15.
Izzy Finlayson BA (Hons) – Graduate Sports Coach
From an early age Izzy has had a keen interest in all things sports related. During her time at Caterham as a pupil, she enjoyed being a key member of the Netball and Lacrosse teams. She captained the 1st XII to a victorious win at the South Schools tournament as well as being selected to play at county and regional level. After Caterham, she went on to study Spanish at the University of Leeds where she captained the University Lacrosse 1st XII, a role in which she doubled up as the team coach. Izzy missed playing lacrosse and netball whilst on her year abroad in Murcia but she found that the weekly trips to the beach helped fill the void nicely!
Kelly Quinlan – Specialist Lacrosse Coach
Kelly studied Business Administration while playing Division 1 Women's Lacrosse at Loyola University, Maryland. Finishing in the Top 10 teams in the nation in her final year, Kelly and teammates won the Big East Championship and competed in the NCAA Tournament. A former coach in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, USA, she is excited to embrace her experience coaching lacrosse at Caterham School!
Richard Smith CertEd – PE Teacher, Head of Cricket
Natalie Lomas BA (Hons) – Head of Girls' Games, PE Teacher, Head of Lacrosse
Mrs Jo Simmons BSc- Sports Coach
Miss Jen Farmer – Sports Coach
Additional Co-curricular Sports - Archery, Scuba Diving, Roller Skating, letter 12 03 28
Netball & Lacrosse Junior & Inter Players - Reception on 20 March 2012
Netball - trip to Superleague match
PE - A Level Students Visit the Surrey High Performance Institute
School Sports - Fixtures & Teams Information - letter 12 01 25
School Sports letter 22 Sept 2011
Please note that, in addition to playing sports on the main campus, we also make use of the grounds at Hill Fields, the Old Caterhamians Club, which is located in Park Avenue, Caterham. CR3 6AH. Directions by road from Caterham School: go down Harestone Valley Road back into Caterham, turn left up Church Hill, left into Stanstead Road and right into Park Avenue. Hill Fields playing fields are on the left. PDF
Caterham School layout and direction to sports grounds leaflet
