STUDENTS at Farnham Heath End School have been discovering new sporting activities as well as meeting an Olympic hopeful as part of National Schools’ Sports’ Week.

During a week-long inter-house competition, students had the opportunity to earn points for their house by taking part in activities ranging from football and ultimate frisbee to tug of war and seated volleyball.

To show students how there is a sport for everybody, GB beach volleyball Olympic hopeful Chris Gregory visited to spend time with year 10 members of the school’s Leadership Academy.

The Leadership Academy is for students studying a Level 2 Sports Leaders Award and who have experience of coaching and organising students from younger years and feeder primary schools.

Chris said: “It is great to see young people who are so inspiring themselves. I wish I had the opportunity to get involved in coaching when I was at school!”

As a child, Chris Gregory was inspired to become a top-level sportsman following a school visit by Steve Redgrave. Chris Gregory’s visit was made possible by the school’s involvement in Sky Sports’ ‘Living for Sport’ project. 

Hayley Kemp, Heath End School’s director of sport, said: “Having Chris visit us for the day was just fantastic. At 6 feet 10, with size 15 feet, he really stood out and was very keen to inspire students. He told them how he was not particularly sporty at school but was identified through the ‘sporting giants’ programme.

“He helped students to understand that they all might yet find a sport at which they excel or, at the very least, that they can really enjoy. He did not start playing volleyball until he was 19 and is now a top level GB athlete!”

National Schools’ Sports’ Week ended with the school’s annual sports day. More than 700 students attended the event at Aldershot Military Stadium and participated in a range of traditional sports day events.

The school’s four houses competed in a tug of war and were judged on how well they had decorated their spectator stand. Each house was also tasked with creating a chant to cheer on their house.

The Sports’ Week trophy was awarded to students from Nightingale house.

Hayley Kemp added: “We truly believe in making sports day fun for all students. By incorporating art and music it was a true cultural experience.

“Nightingale house made it a clean sweep by being crowned sports’ day champions but perhaps more importantly, the students had a great day in a fun, competitive yet friendly environment with some amazing individual and team successes.”