Haywood High School Secures Specialist Sports College Status

Youngsters at Hereford’s Haywood School can look forward to a sporting life after it was awarded Specialist Sports College status.

It means that PE and sports activities at the school will not get pushed down the batting order and will become one of the priorities for pupils.

But it’s not just the sporting prowess of the school which will improve.

“Scientific evidence proves that regular exercise and physical activity have a highly beneficial effect on mental ability,” said the school’s head, John Sheppard.

“This news is a great boost to the school – particularly as we’ve been successful at our first attempt,” added John. 

“Participating in sports will give our pupils a good start as time spent on the playing field will improve their performance in the classroom.

“We feel Sports College Status is the right thing for the community as well as the School.

“Not only is the focus on sport and exercise but also on a healthy life style and this will be a clear part of our community plan to work with targeted groups to support that process.

“We are really delighted, and this is an excellent signal of what Haywood High School is doing and where we intend to move to in the future,” added John.

Specialist Sports College Status will mean that the School will benefit from a new Human Performance Centre.

This will enable the school and physical education department to realise its vision by developing community links through sport to ensure that ‘everyone will achieve their full potential and enjoy the process’.

Cllr Don Rule, Cabinet Member (Children’s Services), said he was delighted with the news.

“This is great news for the youngsters at Haywood High School. It’s well known that a healthy body produces a healthy mind and I’m sure this will mean the school producing pupils who are better all round in terms of the mental capability and their fitness.”

Ted St George, Herefordshire Council’s Head of School Improvement, said: “It’s really good that Haywood High School has been successful, at the first attempt, in bidding to become a 'Specialist Sports College’. 

“It’s a great achievement for all those involved in writing the bid which will bring additional resources and expertise into the school to deliver enhanced sports programmes for both pupils and the wider community.”