Senior School
Sport
Sport at Ryde School is a vital part of our holistic approach to education, designed to promote physical well-being, healthy competition, and lifelong healthy habits.
We believe in providing a structured yet flexible pathway that allows every pupil to find their passion, develop their talents, and enjoy the benefits of being active.
In Years 7 through 9, our pupils build a strong foundation by following our core, traditional sports across the academic year, ensuring everyone experiences the camaraderie and discipline of team sports. As students move into Year 10, we introduce greater choice to suit their evolving interests. Pupils can choose to continue focusing on the main sports or opt into our dynamic multi-sport programme, which runs alongside our core offerings and opens up a diverse world of physical activities.
We are also incredibly proud of our premier partnership with Southampton FC, which brings elite-level opportunities straight to our students. Football training is a major highlight of our weekly schedule, taking centre stage every Wednesday afternoon as well as during vibrant after-school sessions throughout the week. Whether playing for fitness, friendship, or competing at the highest level, sport at Ryde ensures every individual can thrive.
We offer the following team sports throughout the year:
Cricket is our flagship summer sport. We run teams across our age group, competing in a full schedule of mid-week and Saturday fixtures, as well as cup competitions. Training takes place during games afternoons and after-school nets, making full use of our outdoor grass squares, artificial nets, and indoor winter training facilities. We are also lucky to have close links with Isle of Wight Cricket Board and also have ownership of Brading CC. Highlight of the Summer Term is the annual fixture with the MCC.
Cricket is our summer sport for girls which continues to grow exponentially. We run dedicated girls’ teams across all age groups, competing in a vibrant schedule of mid-week and Saturday fixtures, as well as cup competitions. Training takes place during timetabled games afternoons, after-school clubs and winter nets, making full use of our outdoor and indoor facilities. Our female cricketers benefit hugely from our strong links with the Isle of Wight Cricket Board and our ownership of Brading Cricket Club, giving girls access to outstanding pathways, club level facilities, and enhanced development opportunities. Our cricket week that takes place at the end of the summer term is a real highlight for all and includes multiple fixtures for the girls teams.
Hockey is our main sport for boys during the spring term. We field competitive teams across every age category, catering to both experienced players and those continuing to build their skills. Regular training and fixtures take place during timetabled games afternoons and after-school sessions on our astroturf pitch at Smallbrook, located just outside Ryde. Our boys benefit directly from our close link with the Isle of Wight Hockey Club, offering valuable pathways into club hockey and further accelerating their individual player development. The boys enjoy a full fixture card during the spring term as well as indoor events and the Hampshire cup competitions.
Hockey is the main sport for girls during the autumn term. We field teams across every age category, catering to both competitive players and those building their skills. Regular training and fixtures take place during timetabled games afternoons and after-school sessions on the astroturf pitch at Smallbrook. Our pupils also benefit from our close link with Isle of Wight Hockey Club, providing excellent pathways for players to transition into club hockey and further develop their performance. The girls enjoy a full card of fixtures during hockey term as well as various competitions including indoor events and the Hampshire cup at ranging ages.
Netball is a major sport for girls during Spring term, fielding competitive teams across every age group from U12 to the 1st VII. Pupils take part in structured training during timetabled games afternoons and after-school sessions, competing in regular fixtures, friendly matches, and mainland competitions including sisters in sport. Our netball program benefits from dedicated winter training sessions as well as morning skill sessions throughout the year. In addition to our sportshall, we have three outdoor courts within the school grounds, allowing multiple year groups and teams to train, play, and compete simultaneously.
Rugby is the main sport for boys during the Autumn term. We field teams across every age group competing in regular fixtures. Boys take part in timetabled games afternoons and after-school training utilising our two rugby pitches which are within the school. They enjoy a fun and busy term enhancing their rugby skills as well as the life skills that come with learning the sport. We play against other schools on the mainland and enter county competitions. The school also enters 7s competitions in the Spring term including the prestigious Rosslyn Park 7s.
Football is played by boys and girls during the Autumn and Spring terms. We field competitive teams in every age group, participating in a comprehensive schedule of inter-school fixtures on the island and county and National cup competitions. Pupils train during timetabled after-school sessions on our multi-pitch playing fields within the school grounds. Our football program is significantly enhanced by our official partnership with Southampton FC, giving pupils access to elite coaching methodologies, masterclasses, and direct development pathways through the club’s renowned academy network.
Sailing is a key focus offered to all, from novice to advanced sailors. We participate in a wide range of racing formats and events at local, national and international levels. We take great pride in being one of the few schools in the country to offer sailing as part of the curriculum, allowing all pupils from Prep to Sixth form, beginner to elite, to experience and develop sailing.
We don’t just develop great sailors; we develop confident and capable young people, shaped by the challenge and beauty of the Solent.
Complementing our training is a detailed and highly competitive fixture programme. Our students enjoy a vibrant calendar of matches scheduled throughout the week and across busy Saturday mornings, providing ample opportunity to put their skills into practice. Balancing local pride with broader horizons, our teams regularly compete against rival schools both right here on the Island and across the water on the mainland. These fixtures are a fantastic source of school spirit, teaching our pupils the values of sportsmanship, resilience, and teamwork while creating lasting memories of camaraderie on and off the pitch.
At Ryde we hold a firm belief that sailing builds resilience, independence and confidence in our young people. Our proximity to the heart of the UK sailing scene and the contacts and partnerships that affords, ensures our pupils have access to opportunities unrivalled for beginner to elite dinghy sailing and small, medium and large keelboat practice and racing through the curriculum and inter schools competitive racing.
Through strategic partnerships with prominent organisations across the Island, we seek to maximise opportunities for our sailors and leverage our exceptional location at the heart of the UK’s sailing community and ensure our students receive the highest level of instruction.
We work with partners across the Island to maximise opportunities for our sailing pupils, beginner and elite alike: Tackt-Isle, Royal Thames Yacht Club via Cowes, Sea View Yacht Club, and Tuesday night racing with the Island Sailing Club.
