Sports A-Z - Millfield School

Athletics

Athletics is available to all students across the academic year. The Millfield Activity Programme (MAP) allows students to experience the sport and try all of the event areas on the programme. Older students, or those competing at a more advanced level, can select athletics as a full-time option. Younger students can participate in athletics alongside the game of the term in lunchtime sessions with the coaching team. Full-time athletes can compete in both indoor and outdoor competitions in spring and summer terms while all students can choose athletics in the summer term and represent the school in competitions both home and away.

During the Summer of 2020, Millfield’s Athletics Track benefited from significant investment in a state-of-the-art refurbishment that will allow the School to host higher level national competitions at its world-class facility in Street, Somerset. The upgraded track now includes a new world-class eight lane sprint straight, a six lane 400m track, an updated long jump pit and state-of-the-art pole vault area with double entry mat.

Athletics Philosophy

Coaches and students work together to develop a philosophy and set of guiding principles which athletics operates by:

Provide a warm and friendly environment where friendships and teamwork can flourish
Provide a supportive and challenging environment where students can demonstrate their commitment and passion for sport, becoming role models for younger students
Support all athletes to be independent and take ownership of their training and performance
All students are supported in developing a growth mind-set and an understanding that all athletes can improve
Training programmes will be tailored with a outlook to develop long-term success as a priority over short-term results
All athletes will be coached to create a diverse training background across multiple events
Provide appropriate training programmes and coaching for all levels, from beginner to aspiring international performers
Provide appropriate competition opportunities and support for all students from beginner to those competing at international level
Where appropriate, provide opportunities for athletes to utilise support services such as strength and conditioning, emotional intelligence and lifestyle support
Movement quality is a priority over volume of training

Athletics Specialists

Our athletics specialists train year round between five and six days per week, they are coached in the following areas:

Event technical requirements
Running mechanics sessions
Running conditioning relevant for the event area
Strength and conditioning

One to one coaching

One to one coaching is available to those athletes who reach English Schools’ entry or national standards. Depending on the students performance level the following may be available if required:

Sixth Form

One to one sessions in personal study sessions to work on technical skills
One to one strength and conditioning sessions with the athletic development coaches

Years 9 to 11

Support to train within the academic timetable when appropriate and required