ACS Cobham's new Head of Sports, Gideon Sutcliffe, discusses his vision and reflects on a fantastic start to the season.
Gideon Sutcliffe joined ACS Cobham as Head of Sports in August 2021, after working for leading British independent schools such as Brighton College, Bishop's Stortford College and Wellingborough School, in roles including Head of Boarding, Head of Year and Director of Sport.
How is the sports department structured?
The department is a large one. I oversee the Sports Centre Manager and Heads of Core Sports. We have a full-time Sports Secretary and Sports Graduate Assistant. The PE department also is part of the overall sports department, comprising a Head of PE and nine full-time PE staff. We have over 40 sports coaches who deliver sessions to our students.
What core and seasonal sports do we offer?
We have four core sports of swimming, tennis, football and basketball, all of which are played all year around, through fixtures and coaching sessions. This enables us to compete in year-long cup competitions and provide as much opportunity for our students in these sports. It is hoped that our standard of play will also become extremely competitive, with the aim of competing in national competitions.
This does not in any way mean we are less passionate about our seasonal sports such as rugby union and volleyball.
What facilities are you particularly proud of at ACS Cobham?
We have a superb 3G floodlit rugby/football pitch, a brilliant indoor volleyball/basketball arena and a state-of-the-art swimming pool with spectator gallery. Our four full-size rugby/football pitches are well maintained. We also have four seven-aside grass pitches. The recently resurfaced and painted six-court tennis facility is also top class. What is very impressive about the school's sports area is that it is all close together; a specific 'sports village' on the campus.
How inclusive is our programme for our students?
Our ethos is to have sport for all, yet always aiming for sporting excellence. We provide fixtures for all levels of play. All sports are gender-neutral, and we have equal opportunities related to quality of coaching, facilities, and competition.
We are certainly not frightened of competition, and we want to celebrate success wherever possible. A major focus of our programme is the increase in Lower School and Middle School fixtures. We fully understand the importance of providing our younger years with outstanding sports provision.
What particular successes has ACS Cobham enjoyed over the last semester?
The increased provision for our Middle School football has seen us tripling the number of fixtures. We have now entered the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) and English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) tournaments. Our Lower School U-10 teams played more fixtures. We were unbeaten in girls' junior varsity level volleyball. We had a brilliant result in the first round of the London Cup at U-18 level, beating Hampton School. The girls’ U-18 side are in the fourth round of the ESFA cup and are looking likely to be in the semi-final of the Town Cup.
Our swimmers have done very well, winning the regional Independent Schools’ Association (ISA) tournament and medalling substantially in the successful London West team during the ISA national championships. We also came in the top ten of all schools in the country in the English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) tournament. We had a wonderful cross-country season, coming first in the London Schools Athletic Association (LSAA)’s championships, and we also had a successful trip to the Alton Towers Cross-Country.
How is the future looking for our competitive sports calendar?
Our aim is to provide the best possible competitions for our students in each sport. This means playing international schools, independent schools, and state schools. It is vital that our students are challenged and are playing the best quality fixtures possible. Our core sports system enables us to play in year-long competition. We want to increase fixtures for U-9 to U-14.
What particular strengths do we have for our students?
The ACS core values include 'welcome everyone' and 'work together', and there really is something special about bringing together different nationalities and cultures through sport. A special bond is created and the pupils develop empathy and understanding. We also have the opportunity to play international schools as well as local fixtures. In addition, less traditional sports such as basketball and volleyball are played to a good standard and the quality of coaching provided is first class.
