Sports and Outdoor Pursuits

Extensive use is made of the new £2 million pounds Cricket and Sports Centre and includes new activities such as table tennis and fitness training in the Fitness Suite. Sports leadership qualifications partner the GCSE PE Programme at Key Stage 4, at which point our students acquire skills in leadership and organisation of sessions, equivalent to a D at GCSE level. GCSE examination results are very good, almost 80% of students achieving A*-C in the last three years.

In the winter, Association Football is the main sport with teams playing every week at the following age-groups; U12, U13, U14, U15 and 1st XI. St Margaret’s has set high standards of sportsmanship and fair play on the soccer field and boys have also played at City, County, Regional and International levels. In 2006, the U16 football team were winners of the Merseyside Knockout and runners up in the EFSA Final played at the Hawthorns. In 2010, the Under 18 Football team reached the ESFA final at Goodison Park.

Basketball is also played on a regular basis and teams are run at U12, U13, U14, U15, U16 and U19 age-groups. Students have been successful at representative level, with many students playing for Liverpool Schools’ teams. St Margaret’s teams are regular finalists in Liverpool competitions. In 2007, the U14 team were English School’s finalists, finishing fourth in the country at the Finals weekend in Barrow. In 2010 the U13 team performed even better and finished second. Cross-Country teams are organised at all age groups with opportunities to run in the Merseyside Midweek League, Merseyside Schools’ Saturday League and the English Schools’ Cup. Teams are also entered for various invitation road relays. Rugby has emerged as a popular activity within and outside the curriculum and is developing rapidly. Both Lancashire and full RFU competitions are entered. This year the Under 13 boys emerged as Lancashire Champions.

In the summer, Cricket teams play at the following agegroups: U12, U13, U14, U15 and 1st XI. St Margaret’s boys often represent the City and the County at cricket. Two of our recent students are currently playing county cricket. In 2005, our U15 team became Lancashire Champions. In 2009 the same age group were winners with a different set of talented players. In Athletics, St Margaret’s again enter teams across all the age-groups and students have performed well at representative level. In 2006,7,8,9 both Junior and Intermediate teams were winners in the Regional ESAA Finals after winning most honours at city level. Students have achieved representative honours at City, County and International levels.

Most of our sports’ teams are sponsored by local firms and wear high quality clothing. Recent trophies won by St Margaret’s include: Merseyside Cross-Country Midweek League, Birkenhead Park Road Relays, Liverpool Schools’ Cricket Cups, South Liverpool District Sports, Liverpool Schools’ Indoor Athletics Championships, Liverpool Champion Schools’ Athletics Cup and the Merseyside Senior Schools’ Athletics Trophy. In 2004 and 2005 our U15 and U19 football teams both won their respective Merseyside Cup Competitions. In recent years, most teams reached City Basketball finals.The school’s intermediate Athletics team has represented Merseyside in the regional finals of the “Track and Field” Schools’ Cup and in 2003 our junior Athletics team qualified for the national finals. Our squads regularly qualify for the North of England regional finals.

Whilst it is the aim of the school to provide competition and to provide opportunities for the pursuit of excellence, all students are encouraged to participate and enjoy sporting activities. There are also inter-house competitions in the following sports: Football, Cricket, Rugby, Athletics and Basketball. Minority sports including Judo, Rowing and Badminton are currently being developed.

Staff who train teams are very experienced and often have good coaching qualifications. Mrs Dunne, our School Sports Co-ordinator has strengthened links with primary schools and she has encouraged coaching and competitions at St Margaret’s new Sports Centre. Students who attend St Margaret’s are expected to represent the school at sport if selected and are requested to give this a high priority. There are many links with local sports’ clubs. We use local grounds and have a strong association with Liverpool Harriers Athletics Club, Liverpool Collegiate Rugby Club and Sefton Park Cricket Club. In 1999 the school was awarded the‘Sportsmark’ from Sport England for its high quality Physical Education programme. The department successfully applied for redesignation in 2002 and 2005.

Parties are taken climbing, fell-walking, skiing and camping. The school also runs the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. The School possesses a 17 seater minibus and coach. These are invaluable in the organisation of outdoor activities, sporting fixtures and visits.