Sport & PE at The Lyceum
At The Lyceum, we believe every child should discover the joy of being active. Sport and PE are a vital part of life at our London prep school. They build physical fitness, coordination and health, and they teach teamwork, resilience and fair play. From a Reception child’s first Sports Day race to a Year 6 pupil captaining their House, our aim is for every child to find a sport they love and the confidence to give it their best.
Specialist PE Teaching
Our PE lessons are led by specialist teachers who plan motivating, challenging lessons for every age and ability. Our Head of Sport, Mrs Arlow, holds a BA (Hons) in Physical Education with QTS from the University of Brighton. She has previously led PE across three primary schools and has particular expertise in the Early Years and Key Stage 1, as well as in cricket and hockey.
In the early years, children master the fundamental skills of running, jumping, throwing and catching. As they move through the Prep School, they build on these skills through a broad programme of sports:
- Team games: football, rugby, netball, basketball, cricket and rounders
- Racket sports: tennis
- Athletics: track and field events, culminating in Sports Day
- Dance: rhythm, agility and choreography, with pupils creating and performing their own routines
- Swimming: lessons for Years 3 to 6 during the Spring Term
- Wellbeing: regular yoga to support flexibility, focus and calm
Our lessons are inclusive and carefully differentiated, so confident athletes are stretched while children who are less sure of themselves build skills and self-belief at their own pace. Every pupil is encouraged to take part, try their best and celebrate the progress of others.
Excellent Facilities in Central London
Finding space for sport in the City of London is a challenge, but it’s one we’ve solved. Our school has its own playground and an adjoining astro pitch, both rare in central London. We also make the most of excellent local venues, including:
- Mile End Stadium for athletics and our annual Sports Day
- Shoreditch Power League for football and team games
- York Hall and Mile End and Bethnal Green Leisure Centres for swimming
Fixtures and House Competitions
Healthy competition helps children learn to win with grace and lose with dignity. From Key Stage 1, pupils take part in inter-House competitions and tournaments across the year, and opportunities grow as they move up the school. Our four Houses, Shakespeare, Dickens, Eliot and Austen, compete fiercely but fairly, and the year ends with our whole-school Sports Day at Mile End Stadium, where pupils race to bring home the House Trophy.
Pupils also represent The Lyceum in competitive fixtures against other schools, and many compete in external events such as ballet and judo competitions.
Sports Clubs
Sport doesn’t stop at the end of the school day. Our extracurricular clubs give children the chance to try new sports and develop their skills further, with options including:
- Multisports and Mini Movers for younger pupils
- Football, Fencing and Table Tennis
- Judo as an early-morning club
- Ballet, Street Dance, Pom Cheer and Boogie Beats for budding dancers
Why Sport Matters
Regular physical activity is essential to children’s health, and the Chief Medical Officers recommend that children and young people are active for an average of at least 60 minutes a day. At The Lyceum, sport also plays a big part in personal development. Children learn to work as a team, handle setbacks, take on leadership and set themselves goals. These are the same qualities of confidence and resilience that help them flourish in the classroom and at senior school. Some of our pupils go on to win sport scholarships at senior school, including at Forest School in 2025–26.
Learn more about life at our Prep School and our approach to pastoral care.
Head of Sport — Mrs Arlow
Mrs Arlow hol
ds a BA (Hons) in Physical Education with QTS from Brighton University and began her teaching career in secondary PE. She later became Head of PE across three primary schools, where she discovered a growing passion for working with younger children. This led her to transition into the Prep school setting, specialising in both EYFS and Key Stage 1, while continuing to share her enthusiasm for PE. She has a particular love for cricket and hockey, where she plays as a goalkeeper.
