Ipswich School has been shortlisted for a prestigious award which recognises the school’s achievement in sport. 

The Ipswich School entry in the Independent School Parent Awards identifies the new emphasis on team sport and the pride in playing for Ipswich School.

It also recognises that there are more opportunities to play in one of the ‘focus sport’ teams in rugby, netball, hockey and cricket with improved training provision and a strengthened coaching team. Pupils are now able to specialise in a sport so that from Year 10 up they can commit to two terms of one sport. This has proved really popular and been a major part of individual team success.

Ben Edmondson, Director of Sport, said: “I am delighted that our sports programme has been shortlisted for this award. We have worked hard to generate enthusiasm in our sports – but it would be nothing without the enthusiasm of our pupils, parents and staff, who have responded to these sporting opportunities with such passion.”

He added: “Even during this period of lockdown I have been really pleased to see so many pupils watching the sports skills videos and sending their own efforts to the team to be analysed. We can’t wait to have the pupils back on the pitch and to see our parents on the sideline. Although we have been separated they are at the forefront of our minds in all that we do.”

In September we were announced as a finalist in this category, up against four other schools.

The judges said: “It was an extremely tough decision to whittle down the finalists to 104 schools from more than 300 nominations received and especially given the consistently high standard of the entries. Thank you to all schools for taking part and congratulations to not only the finalists, but all schools who were shortlisted.”

The results will be announced in a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday 8 October.