Early Years School
All the children take part in Little Stars Fitness over the course of the year, which provides a stimulating learning experience to teach children about the importance of health, nutrition and fitness. Children enjoy fun fitness sessions using real mini gym machines and exercise equipment followed by smoothie or juice making.
In addition to Little Stars Fitness, Nursery children have a soft play session each week. Reception children have a variety of timetabled PE lessons. A visiting sports coach teaches one of these lessons and focuses on large motor skill development and basic ball skills. Other activities include gymnastics, yoga and music and movement. All children in the Early Years may attend optional ballet classes lead by teachers from the English ballet school.
Junior School
Pupils take part in two PE sessions each week.
Children in Years 3 to 6 take part in our swimming programme, at the Mirandabad Pool in Amsterdam-Zuid, with lessons taken by Dutch instructors and accompanied by school staff. The children follow the Dutch diploma system, and swim at a variety of levels from beginners to C++ level.
Once per year we hold a traditional sports day for all of the children from Year 2 to Year 6. The children are grouped according to their house teams and work together to win points by taking part in traditional games and races. Everyone has lots of fun and at the end of the day the winners of the house cup are announced.
Senior School
The British School of Amsterdam is a Topscore School.
Topscore, a sports programme led by the local authority’s sports service, aims to introduce teenagers to different sports, with the aim of continued participation by linking schools with local clubs. Club coaches run introductory courses of between 6 to 12 weeks in local schools. Pupils take part in inter-school competitions at the end of each course, and can then join the club should they wish to continue.
At present, the School has a Topscore partnership with RC Amstel (Rowing) and BC Apollo (Basketball). Both programmes have been very popular and resulted in many successes in local and national competitions. They are also an important link for our students, and their families, joining local clubs and the wider community in Amsterdam.