The Edinburgh Academy

Years 1 to 3

All pupils in the Geits, Seconds and Thirds have a double period of P.E. each week. They will be introduced to a structured, progressive and enjoyable programme. This will include a wide degree of breadth and balance in the areas of activities undertaken. All activities will help towards an understanding of the benefit exercise has on long-term health and develop positive attitudes towards physical activity and participation in sport. The programme will include:

Athletic activities, including fitness and track and field.

Games, including ball skills (basketball, rugby, soccer, hockey and handball) racket skills (badminton, tennis) striking and fielding skills (cricket and softball)

Gymnastic activities, including movement, sports acrobatics and Olympic gymnastics

Aquatic activities, including stroke technique and personal survival.

Dance: an introduction to Scottish country dancing.

In the 4th year pupils may opt for a two-year GCSE Physical Education course as well as undertaking theirnormal P.E. and games periods.

GAMES

All students in the Geits and Seconds go to Games on Mondays; the Thirds go on Wednesdays. Students selected for teams will be required for a team practice on Monday (Thirds) or Wednesday (Geits and Seconds). Geits and Seconds are strongly encouraged to play rugby, but there is also an opportunity to play hockey in the Seconds; Thirds can also choose rugby or hockey. In the summer students in the Geits, Seconds and Thirds have a choice between cricket and athletics, and the choice extends as they progress further up the school. There is a regular diet of Saturday school matches throughout the year - as many as three teams can represent each age-group. Students should be available for selection. Students have the opportunity to take up many different sports such as shooting, fives, sailing, squash etc in the “Activity” periods.

A wider choice comes in at the start of the Fifths: soccer, badminton, basketball, weights, fitness, squash and aerobics. Gradually the choice is widened until by the Fifths pupils are choosing from the full range, including tennis, weights, canoeing, sailing and softball. The school also has skiing and golf teams.

The Sports Centre

The Academy Sports Centre, opened by HRH The Princess Royal in 1999, is situated in the grounds of The Edinburgh Academy Junior School on Arboretum Road.  In addition to a versatile sports hall, it houses a gymnasium and squash courts. The centre is jointly funded by The Edinburgh Academy and the lottery sports fund. It is used during the day by staff, pupils and parents of pupils.  The wider community use it in the evenings, during weekends and school holidays.

New Field

The majority of school sport is played at our extensive field close to the Junior School campus. Here are several rugby pitches, the main cricket square, and facilities for football and hockey.

Being so large and also adjacent to a public park, New Field also provides the base for our cross country course.

Gymnasium

The gymnasium (left) occupies the first floor of the classically designed building at the north east of the Senior School site. Changing rooms are on the ground floor. The gym is used for PE lessons as well as badminton, basketball and fencing. There is also a weights room.

Arboretum Field

Arboretum Field, overlooked by the sports centre, is used for Junior School rugby in the winter and athletics in the summer.

The North Wing Development

We plan to create a Physical Education and Performing Arts space in the North Wing of the main building at Henderson Row by removing all of the 1890 partitions and opening up the building to its original proportions. Together with changing rooms and toilet facilities which befit the school’s new co-educational status, this development should be ready by late 2008.

Tennis Courts

4 astroturf tennis courts are located on the Arboretum campus. Tennis is an important part of the Games curriculum and full use of this facility is made in the summer term. There are three excellent squash courts in the Sports Hall at Arboretum and fives courts at Henderson Row.