Eastbourne College wins prestigious award for getting pupils active
Eastbourne College is celebrating success in the Talk Education Awards for Innovation 2023, winning in the Inspiring Sporting Activities category.
The Talk Education Awards showcase pioneering schools who are taking steps to modernise the face of independent education, with the Inspiring Sporting Activities award highlighting achievements and initiatives to get pupils active.
Eastbourne College was recognised for its focus on ‘blue health’ living and learning, as the school takes advantage of its coastal location to benefit pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing by encouraging outdoor activities as much as possible – from water sports like paddleboarding to runs on the South Downs.
The school received additional praise for its ‘Mind Gym’, which encourages pupils to be open about their mental health through sport.
Launched during the pandemic by rugby performance coach Jack Roberts, the scheme offers a ‘self-care toolbox’ where pupils can gain functional advice to help overcome issues affecting their game, such as stress, anxiety, low confidence or negative thoughts; but the initiative can help in their wider life too, preparing them for whatever life throws at them.
Tom Lawson, Headmaster of Eastbourne College, said: “Winning this well-respected national award is wonderful news – we can’t think of a better way to kickstart the new academic year here on the sunshine coast.
“We pride ourselves on offering an all-inclusive programme of sport as an integral part of life at Eastbourne College.
“We strive for sporting excellence at the highest level, but participation for all, enjoyment, support and wellbeing are at the heart of our sporting programme.”
Director of Sport, Mike Harrison concurred: “the breadth of sporting activities we offer is vast. We cater for all abilities and yet Eastbourne College consistently reaches national finals across multiple sports every year.”
The judging panel for the Talk Education awards consists of experienced researchers, education experts and former heads, teachers and advisors in the sector.
The Inspiring Sporting Activities award is the latest in a string of accolades the College has received in the past year, including the Platinum Artsmark Award and being named the top Eco Warrior school by Tatler in 2023 The school was also finalist in the 2023 TES Boarding School of the Year Award and finalist in the 2022-23 Co-Educational Independent School of the Year Award at the Independent School of the Year Awards.
For more information, please visit Talk Education Awards.
