Rolling with the Punches

School Report magazine reviews how different schools are compensating for the disruption students have faced, highlighting South Hampstead’s emphasis on sport. 

The idea of ‘catching up’ on missed time at school because of the pandemic is something that can trigger debate… However, it is the ability of a school to mitigate for unforeseen circumstances – while being mindful of student wellbeing – that will arguably set it apart from others, with this notion applicable to more than just the academic sphere.

Take South Hampstead High School, a Hampstead day school for girls aged 4 to 18. Here, a priority attached to the school’s reopening in March has been to ensure that students have plenty of opportunities to get outside and engage with sport once again. Active PE afternoons and numerous co-curricular sports clubs before, during and after school have resumed with great enthusiasm at the school’s four-acre sports ground. New activities on offer have included pop lacrosse, tag rugby, frisbee and handball, while the spring term ended with a wellness week, including energetic dance sessions. With inter-school fixtures still on hold, new after-school football and netball leagues for each year group bubble have been a big success. Although the forced closure affected the school for the majority of the spring term, many pupils inspired other members of the school community to get active during this period.

The article featured in the summer term edition of School Report magazine.