Games Programme
Year 9
The basic premise at Year 9 is that a student will do three different sports across the three terms – one each term. Hence, as a norm, students should choose one of the “Games of the Term” for a block of three sessions per week for the duration of the term, as seen in the Core Programme table below. These sessions will be on Monday – period 3 and half of lunch break, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. (All Year 9 students must be registered for Games on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons).
Boys' Games – Core Programme
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Rugby | Football | Athletics |
| Basketball | Hockey | Cricket |
| Tennis | ||
Girls' Games - Core Programme
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Hockey | Netball | Athletics |
| Dance | Dance | Cricket |
| Football (by special permission) | Football | Tennis |
| Dance |
A student wishing to do one of the games available in two terms will need to carefully consider in advance which term they prefer to take it, as they must prioritise a different game in the other term. With permission from the Assistant Director of Sport, they may be allowed dispensation from one session of that other game to pursue the two-term option, and thus take a “3+1” (or “1+3”) programme.
For example, a girl wanting to choose dance might decide to prioritise this in Spring Term and so reserve her choice of three dance sessions for that term. She must therefore choose hockey during Autumn Term. With permission she may be allowed to do just two sessions of hockey and use the third one for dance. She may also find additional dance sessions scheduled outside of games time and/or use her Millfield Activities Programme (MAP) for additional dance during its non-priority term.
Outdoor Activities & Games changes
Students who find themselves strongly incompatible with any of the Games of the Term may, after the first two weeks of term, seek approval from the Assistant Director of Sport to enrol in a structured programme of outdoor activities, such as climbing, canoeing and/or sailing. This programme must include sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Having made their games choice, students may only change once during the term and can only do so after the first two weeks of the term up until the end of the first week after Half Term. Changes must be processed through the Sports Co-ordinator with the approval of the Assistant Director of Sport, using the Change of Games Form.
Sports Specialists
Students who consider themselves sports specialists can apply to the Assistant Director of Sport to pursue their sport instead of the Game of the Term. Relevant sports include athletics, basketball, cricket, dance, fencing, football, golf, hockey, modern pentathlon, netball, riding, rugby, squash, swimming and tennis. Such students will typically be Sports Scholars, though being a scholar in a particular sport doesn’t automatically grant exemption from Games of the Term (dependent on individual development needs). Specialist programmes will include sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Students who specialise in other, more selective sports can apply for partial exemption from Games of the Term for one session per week. Examples of such sports include badminton, clay shooting and skiing. An existing performance record will be asked for. Ensuing programmes must include sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Scholars outside of sport
Students who are scholars in academics, art, chess, drama or music have the option to drop 1 session of games each week to pursue their specialisation instead. If approved, the relevant Head of Department would assume responsibility for ensuring the student is occupied in their specialist pursuit during what would otherwise be their games session.
Year 10
In Year 10 students may be starting to specialise in some sports more or diversify, and therefore have the option to pursue their sports across two terms or in certain circumstances seek alternatives. The basic premise is that they pursue at least two different sports across the three terms, for a minimum of three sessions per week for the duration of each term (they do not need to continue a sport for two terms, and are perfectly entitled to change each term).
For boys, these sessions will largely be Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. For girls, they will largely be Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons (all Year 10 students must be registered for games on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons).
Boys' Games – Core Programme
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball | Basketball | |
| Football | Football | Athletics |
| Hockey | Hockey | Cricket |
| Rugby | Rugby (pre-selected) | Tennis |
Girls' Games - Core Programme
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Dance | Dance | Athletics |
| Hockey | Hockey (pre-selected) | Cricket |
| Netball (pre-selected) | Netball | Dance |
| Football | Football | Tennis |
Outdoor Activities & Games changes
Students who find themselves strongly incompatible with any of the Games of the Term may, after the first two weeks of term, seek approval from the Assistant Director of Sport to enrol in a structured programme of outdoor activities, such as climbing, canoeing and/or sailing. This programme must include sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Having made their games choice, students may only change once during the term and can only do so after the first two weeks of the term up until the end of the first week after Half Term. Changes must be processed through the Sports Co-ordinator with the approval of the Assistant Director of Sport, using the Change of Games Form.
Sports Specialists
Students who consider themselves sports specialists can apply to the Assistant Director of Sport to pursue their sport instead of the Game of the Term. Relevant sports include athletics, basketball, cricket, dance, fencing, football, golf, hockey, modern pentathlon, netball, riding, rugby, squash, swimming and tennis. Such students will typically be Sports Scholars, though being a scholar in a particular sport doesn’t automatically grant exemption from Games of the Term (dependent on individual development needs). Specialist programmes will include sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Students who specialise in other, more selective sports can apply for partial exemption from games of the term for one session per week. Examples of such sports include badminton, clay shooting and skiing. An existing performance record will be asked for. Ensuing programmes must include sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Scholars outside of sport
Students who are scholars in academics, art, chess, drama or music have the option to drop one session of Games each week, to pursue their specialisation instead. If approved, the relevant Head of Department would assume responsibility for ensuring the student is occupied in their specialist pursuit during what would otherwise be their games session.
Year 11
In Year 11 students may be specialising in the core or selective sports more across two terms or choose to diversify and pursue a mix of sports sessions each term. The basic premise is that they pursue at least two different sports across the three terms, for a minimum of three sessions per week for the duration of each term (they do not need to continue a sport for two terms, and are perfectly entitled to change each term).
For boys, these sessions will largely be Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. For girls, they will largely be Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons (all Year 11 students must be registered for games on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons).
During Summer Term, Year 11 students are considered as Seniors for games, and therefore the Sixth Form Programme applies.
Boys' Games - Core Programme
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Football | Football | Athletics |
| Hockey | Hockey | Cricket |
| Rugby | Rugby | Tennis |
Girls' Games - Core Programme
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Dance | Dance | Athletics |
| Football | Football | Cricket |
| Hockey | Hockey | Tennis |
| Netball | Netball |
Outdoor Activities & Games changes
Students who find themselves strongly incompatible with any of the Games of the Term may, after the first two weeks of term, seek approval from the Assistant Director of Sport to enrol in a structured programme of outdoor activities, such as climbing, canoeing and/or sailing. This programme must include sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Having made their games choice, students may only change once during the term and can only do so after the first two weeks of the term up until the end of the first week after Half Term. Changes must be processed through the Sports Co-ordinator with the approval of the Assistant Director of Sport, using the Change of Games Form.
Sports Specialists
Students who consider themselves sports specialists can apply to the Assistant Director of Sport to pursue their sport instead of the game of the term. Relevant sports include athletics, basketball, cricket, dance, fencing, football, golf, hockey, modern pentathlon, netball, riding, rugby, squash, swimming and tennis. Such students will typically be Sports Scholars, though being a scholar in a particular sport doesn’t automatically grant exemption from Games of the Term (dependent on individual development needs). Specialist programmes will include sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Students who specialise in other, more selective sports can apply for partial exemption from Games of the Term for one session per week. Examples of such sports include badminton, clay shooting and skiing. An existing performance record will be asked for. Ensuing programmes must include sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Scholars outside of sport
Students who are scholars in academics, art, chess, drama or music have the option to drop one session of games each week, to pursue their specialisation instead. If approved, the relevant Head of Department would assume responsibility for ensuring the student is occupied in their specialist pursuit during what would otherwise be their games session.
Sixth Form
In the Sixth Form, students may choose from the whole range of sports on offer at Millfield, ensuring that they register for a minimum of three sessions per week, ideally including sessions on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
The range of sports available varies a little from term to term and consists of:
Archery, athletics (including cross country), badminton, basketball, chess, clays, cricket, dance (including ballet, modern, street and tap), fencing, fitness (including aerobics, pilates, spinning, yoga and zumba), football, golf, hockey, karate, modern pentathlon, polo, riding, rugby (boys only), ski racing, squash, swimming, trampolining, tennis, triathlon, volleyball and outdoor activities including canoeing, climbing and sailing.
Some sessions require prior approval to join, such as those for squads and sports specialists. These are clearly indicated at registration, and registers will be corroborated with Head Coaches in the first week of each term.
Games changes
Having made their games choice, students may only change once during the term and can only do so after the first two weeks of the term up until the end of the first week after Half Term. Changes must be processed through the Sports Co-ordinator with the approval of the Assistant Director of Sport, using the Change of Games Form.
Scholars outside of sport
Students who are scholars in academics, art, chess, drama or music have the option to drop 1 session of games each week, to pursue their specialisation instead. If approved, the relevant Head of Department would assume responsibility for ensuring the student is occupied in their specialist pursuit during what would otherwise be their games session.