Every boy has access to exceptionally high quality coaching, outstanding facilities and a broad range  of opportunities to relish enjoyment through sport.

Our ‘sports for all’ philosophy is key to how the Sports Department runs at Caldicott and enables us to provide our boys with incredible life experiences as they form long-lasting memories with their closest friends. Caldicott teaches lessons to our boys that they take with them off the field: the ability to persevere, work in a team, and tackle challenges with a smile are a few examples of this.

Although the key to measuring sporting success is not just down to win/loss ratios and the number of trophies that we collect, Caldicott continues to achieve some stellar results. We have won countless galas, athletics and tennis meets, golf competitions and cricket, football, basketball and rugby tournaments. In terms of notable, national successes, our list is similarly impressive. Significantly, we have a strong history of boys achieving sports scholarships to some of the country’s most prestigious sporting schools including Wellington College, Harrow, Radley and Bradfield to name but a few.

In 2019, Caldicott were the overall winners for sporting achievement at the Independent School of the Year Awards.

We're incredibly proud of our sporting provision here at Caldicott

Matt Hutchings, Deputy Head (Management), Director of Sport

We possess extensive sporting facilities and coaches equipping us to provide a wide range of different sports, with our three ‘core sports’ taking precedence throughout the year. During the Autumn Term, rugby is the primary sport, with the focus shifting to football in the Spring Term and then cricket in the Summer Term.

Rugby

Similar to other areas of life, each boy’s rugby journey will be individual to them. Despite this, one goal remains the same across the board, which is ensuring each boy leaves Caldicott with a positive rugby experience. Our rugby programme allows us to tailor the experience through a progressive menu (in line with the RFU rules and regulations) meaning we can safely, and effectively develop his natural attributes and abilities to ensure he not only progresses and improves but that he views his experience of rugby as positive and enjoyable.

The value of Rugby Union stretches far beyond the obvious health and fitness benefits. The core values of the game are: teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, which means the sport works in synergy with the school’s own ethos and core values, epitomising everything we want from a Caldicott boy.

All boys have access to coaching from our highly qualified in-house rugby staff and every boy in each year group will be picked to play in a fixture every Wednesday for the 3rd – 6th Form, as well as every Saturday for the 5th – 6th Form. All our coaching staff used to (or still do) play and/or coach at a very high level. They continue their development through the RFU accredited courses, with our current staff body boasting two Level 3 and four Level 2 RFU accredited coaches while the remainder of the staff body involved in delivering rugby are Ready 4 Rugby trained and continue their professional development in this sport year on year.

Gareth Williams, Head of Rugby

Football

In the Junior School (Years 3-4), boys are eased in with their football coaching, with the primary focus being around fostering a love of the game. Every boy in the Junior School receives three training sessions per week with inter-school matches taking place on Tuesday afternoons.

Football is coached at all levels and abilities; across the six age groups, it is common for us to field around 30 teams, ensuring every boy participates in regular matches. Furthermore, ‘A’ teams also get the opportunity to play in inter-school tournaments – one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the season is the renowned Intra-School House Football Competition. These matches are often highly competitive and adored by players and spectators alike.

The football coaching pathway here at Caldicott is closely aligned with FA guidance on youth football. We adopt the FA’s four corner model that player development needs to be looked at from a technical, physical, psychological and social point of view; no single aspect works in isolation from the others. While this model can be applied to all players, regardless of age or ability, it is always important to note that every boy is unique in his needs, development, and style of play.

If a pupil has demonstrated the commitment and skill level required, they are nominated to attend trials with the Prep School Lions and ISFA squads. These are regional prep school representative teams that serve as an additional opportunity for boys to develop, alongside their school commitments.

Josh Blagden, Head of Football

Cricket

Caldicott is privileged and honoured to have a vast tradition of playing cricket at the school dating back to when records began. The game has changed drastically since the onset of 20 over cricket and this has meant that naturally, our provision of the sport has evolved. There is no better sight than stepping onto our beautiful grounds and witnessing up to 16 teams playing cricket in the sunshine as parents patrol the boundary and share in the joys of a Summer Term at Caldicott.

Due to the shortness of the Summer Term, we tend to try and get all boys from the 3rd – 6th Form involved in external cricket fixtures every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon. This also helps with our goal of fostering a love for the sport and providing a fun experience, with particular emphasis of this at the youngest age groups.

With biannual 1st XI cricket tours to Cape Town, South Africa, the competition amongst both staff and boys to get on this tour is fierce enabling us to train all year round and keep the cricketing ethos going throughout the winter. With many of our alumni going on to become household cricket names, we are delighted to be included in ‘The Cricketer’ magazine as one of the top prep schools in the UK. We are also proud to boast that our very own Sir Andrew Strauss was captain of cricket at Caldicott in 1990.
Excellent coaching and regular games mean we can provide Caldicott boys with the opportunity to develop and grow as characters and cricketers. Regardless of whether a boy is playing for the 9th XI or the 1st XI, the dedication and care that is taken in team selection, coaching and personal development, is always of the highest quality.

Despite having over 200 fixtures across all teams, the highlight for many would have to be the Caldicott Premiere League. This is a term-long internal competition for all boys in the 5th – 9th XI’s which culminates in a magnificent grand final accompanied with fireworks, live commentary and music, with all 100 excited boarders in attendance. There are similar competitions for boys in the 3rd and 4th form’s which ensure that regardless of what team the boys are in there is always something to play for.

 

Terrence Zengerink, Head of Cricket

Mr MJ Hutchings

Deputy Head (Management, Director of Sport)

Matt Hutchings began his Caldicott career as Head of Rugby in 2012. His sporting pedigree is exemplary and in his spare time he is current England Counties Rugby U18 Assistant Coach. His teaching experience spans preparatory and senior education, and he has former management experience as Head of Physical Education & Head of Key Stage 4 Pastoral leader. His proudest Caldicott moments include winning Rosslyn park in 2014 & 2015 and winning ‘Independent Sporting School of the Year’ in 2019.

Performing Arts
Trips
Activities Programme & After-School Care