Truro School offers a wide range of sports, allowing all pupils to handpick a physical activity that truly excites them. The nationally popular sports of football, hockey, netball and rugby form a prominent feature of school life. Such sports regularly receive high levels of student interest, particularly concerning progression in major national tournaments where classmates and teachers are ever-present, cheering from the sidelines at home fixtures.
As well as the mainstream sports, Truro School also receives significant student interest and success in athletics, badminton, cricket, cross country, fencing, golf, rounders, sailing, surfing, swimming, squash and tennis.
If you have any enquiries about our sports department email: [email protected]
Athletics plays a big part in the sporting life of Truro School and pupils regularly compete in county club and schools championships, alongside the English Schools Track and Field Cup and inter-school meetings. The school has a great name when it comes to athletics and pupils of all ages compete in games such as the Brookes County Championships and the County Schools Championships. A number of athletes have recently represented the school on the national stage, with Molly Long and Finn Birnie competing for England. Others have also competed at the English Schools Athletics Championships.
Badminton is becoming increasingly popular with the success of Olympic teams and we look to provide all the encouragement we can for pupils who are interested in the sport. It is one of the most popular participation sports at Truro School with over fifty pupils attending practices each week, making full use of the twelve courts available in the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre. Our pupils have won a variety of competitions in recent years and a considerable number of individuals represent Cornwall.
Cricket is a major sport at the school and is played by boys and girls mainly during the summer term. There are a number of indoor competitions for boys and girls that take place during the autumn and spring terms.
At school we run teams from under 12 to 1st XI and girl’s teams at under 13 and under 15. All teams at junior level play in the county knock-out cup competitions at which we have had great success. There is a winter training programme that starts after the October half term and continues until the start of the summer term; allowing all age groups to make the most of the off-season and hit the ground running for the first game of the term.
In the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre two games can take place simultaneously. During each Easter break since this facility has been opened Truro school has hosted indoor 6 a side cricket tournaments. With this taking place pre-season it is an ideal opportunity to guarantee some cricket before the summer term regardless of the weather.
We have a large pavilion, three well-maintained cricket grounds, all pitches are natural grass wickets that are used solely for cricket and protected during the off-season.
We have 11 indoor nets bays that are split between two sports centres. The coaching staff are equipped with three bowling/fielding machines which are used during the coaching programme and available throughout the summer term.
During the autumn and spring term both the under 13 and under 15 girls teams are involved in the national indoor competitions. Throughout the summer term there a number of girls’ hard ball fixtures and the squad are involved in their own county cup competition.
Truro School has a strong reputation in cross country, developing long distance runners of the highest calibre. Led by an experienced running coach, cross country training usually runs through autumn and spring time and sees a fantastic opportunity for pupils to push themselves and feel a real sense of personal victory after competing in such an environment.
Students frequently take part in country and regional races and opportunities to develop as long distance runners are aplenty.
Truro School has a long-standing reputation for producing fencers of the highest quality. With our partnership with Truro Fencing Club many of our fencers have gained international honours. For those individuals who want to keep fit and learn a new skill, or those who aspire to national team selection, we have a programme on offer to support your fencing career.
Fencing not only offers pupils the opportunity to learn a new discipline and improve fitness but it tests their strength, technique, tactical ability and control. It is also an excellent means of learning respect through sport and building self-confidence. New comers to the sport are encouraged to join the Wednesday afternoon activity. Those who compete regularly also come along to the intermediates’ fencing club. Truro School, in partnership with Truro Fencing Club, also offers the most comprehensive and professional integrated training programme for fencers aged 11 – 18.
Click below to find out more about:
Football remains one of the most popular sports on the globe and it is certainly a popular one at Truro School.
Football is played mainly in the spring term with 9 teams representing the school across the 11–18 age range. We have a healthy fixture list against local schools, with most of our games being played on Wednesday afternoons. In recent years we have expanded our fixture list, entering The English Schools Cup, (ESFA) and The Independent Schools Cup, (ISFA). These matches take place in the Autumn Term, and have given us the opportunity to play the likes of Millfield, Charterhouse and Eton College.
We have a fantastic array of facilities that our footballers can make use of, from AstroTurf courts and football pitches to indoor 5-a-side courts.
Truro School has partnered with leading football development centre, Saints South West, to provide Sixth Form students with a unique football programme. The programme has been designed to offer first-class football coaching alongside theoretical sessions, enabling boys and girls to further their footballing journey and gain professional football qualifications alongside their A-Levels or associated courses.
Golf is a popular sport played by pupils of all ages at Truro School. The handicap system allows golfers of widely varying levels of ability to compete effectively against each other. Truro School golfers are members at numerous golf clubs in Cornwall, including Truro, Perranporth, Killiow, St. Enedoc, West Cornwall, Lanhydrock and Falmouth, where they have access to coaching by Club professionals.
Golf is also available as an option on Wednesday afternoons for limited numbers using the facilities at Perranporth Golf Club.
Truro School golfers compete in the I.S.G.A., HMC Foursomes and Cornwall Schools’ competitions each year and regularly reach the regional finals. On three occasions Truro School has won the National Final of the HMC Foursomes competition. Many of our golfers receive County Coaching and go on to represent Cornwall in inter-County events.
Hockey at Truro School is enjoyed by girls and boys of all ages through the Spring and Autumn Terms. There is an excellent Astro Turf pitch, and the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre presents an enviable indoor hockey facility, providing a platform for the development of the indoor version of the game.
All pupils, regardless of their experience, receive regular hockey training through timetabled Games and Co-curricular Clubs. The programme is delivered by a team of knowledgeable and dedicated coaching staff. Truro School hockey perpetually dominates the county. Matches are played throughout the week and teams regularly compete in the regional stages of the National Schools Hockey Competitions at Under 18, Under 16 and Under 14 level. In addition to this, the school boasts a number of players who have attended JDC, JAC, JRPC and Futures Cup (all key stages of England Hockey’s Single System).
We have a team of high quality teachers who coach our boys and girls and help them become the best they can.
Netball is one of the two main sports played by the girls at Truro School during the Autumn and Spring terms. The school is one of the most successful in the County and South West, often winning the County tournaments and then going on to represent Cornwall in the Regional finals. The school have produced both international players and girls’ who have represented Team Bath in the National Talent League. The fixture list is extensive and the school travels as far a field as Millfield and The Maynard School (Exeter) to ensure that our girls play a high standard of netball. However netball is incredibly popular and we do ensure that there are many matches so all girls can be included in the competitive game.
In recent years there have been highly successful tours to Bath and South Africa where the girls have experienced different styles of play whilst also promoting team cohesion. The school enters all of the national competitions, the Independent Schools Netball Cup, Sisters n Sport National Cup and County Tournaments.
Five teaching staff and one netball coach look after the teams. The girls are also provided with opportunities to develop their coaching and umpiring at the school. A large proportion of the girls are selected into the area and County academies. Some of these are selected for the Regional Academy where they receive expert coaching from former National Coach Jean Davies.
Truro School has a long-standing reputation for producing rugby teams of the highest quality and plays an extensive fixture list that comprises many of the well-known traditional rugby schools in the South West.
Touring has become a major focus in the school’s rugby provision with regular visits to South Africa, Australia and Canada. The school has also offered a traditional Cornish welcome to a large number of overseas touring schools over recent years.
Truro School has produced both senior and age grade international players and at a local level the school’s junior sides in particular have dominated the county scene in recent years. A large number of players represent Cornwall and the South West and a growing number are now part of the EPDG Exeter Chiefs Academy.
Surfing is another sea-conquering sport that our students embrace all year round. As 80% of our county is surrounded by water and the glorious coast boasts waves, coves and reefs that attract surfers from all over the country and the world, Cornwall is the perfect place for it. It has been another incredible year for the Truro School Surf Academy, seeing it grow and develop. We have partnered up with Ticket to Ride Surf School and Professional Surfer and Leading Coach Sam Lamiroy to create a truly exciting package with coaching tailored and optimised for their ability level.
We take pupils surfing every Wednesday afternoon. All pupils are not only coached but also assessed using the iAM Bands grading system pioneered and developed by Sam Lamiroy.
Our surfers also know the importance of training outside the sea too, and are well disciplined in swimming and body strength. First aid and life saving skills are taught by our fully trained SLSGB Surf Lifesaving Trainer and assessor.
The Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre is not only named after one of the world’s most famous Olympic sailors, but also a former pupil. Sir Ben Ainslie has proved a real inspiration to our pupils and the future is sure to bring more in the way of sailing. We are fortunate to live alongside one of the most stunning coastlines in the country and sailing happens all year round so our pupils gain experience of all elements of the sport.
The two glass-backed squash courts are perfect for high-class development, and as a result, squash has become an increasingly popular sport at Truro School. Squash is introduced to students within their PE lessons across the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Years. In addition, we also host after school squash clubs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays under the guidance of England Squash fully qualified professional coach, Tim Smith.
Tim is one of the leading coaches in the region and well regarded nationally within the sport, currently competing on the International Masters circuit and having accumulated a record 13 county titles. Truro School has also hosted several “master classes” with some of the world’s best professional players, including World no 1 Paul Coll, World no1 Mohamed El Shorbagy, European no 1 Joel Makin, three times World Champion Nick Matthew and Commonwealth gold medallist James Willstrop. England’s top two ladies, Alison Waters and Sarah-Jane Perry have also visited Truro School as have world-renowned guest coaches Hadrian Stiff and Lee Drew for special coaching camps.
Truro School has gone from strength to strength and boasts current junior County champions in every single age group, and our pupils comprise the vast majority of all the junior county teams. Two of our boys are now in the England squad and six more play on the National circuit. Our most significant achievement to date has been in the 2022 National Schools Squash Championships, where (from 80 entrants) we reached the grand final and beat defending champions Wycliffe College to win the national title. World no 1 Mohamed Elshorbagy says of this win, ” I am so happy to hear that the school has won, it’s a reward for all the hard work and commitment of everyone involved. It’s nice to see the massive improvements since I [visited] in 2016 and I hope for more to come, good luck everyone involved “
We are already putting together a packed programme for the new academic year and welcome all pupils of any age and any standard to participate and enjoy playing this most exciting of sports.
Swimming is a really popular sport at Truro School and one that complements sailing and surfing. It is also a great way for students and staff to keep fit and is ideal for personal training when building fitness for other sports. Our 25 metre swimming pool is the perfect facility for pupils, allowing them to make the most of the sport.
Many of our swimmers have found success across a number of county, regional and national competitions and galas, as well as in receiving Lifeguard Awards. The school also holds house swimming galas, which see the different houses competing in a variety of events. The school also has away fixtures, such as the ESSA National Schools Relay Championships.
Tennis is a very popular sport played by both boys and girls throughout the year and Truro School offers excellent provision for tennis development at all levels.
Truro School offers a comprehensive tennis programme providing opportunities for everyone to play, whatever their ability. Our co-curricular programme for elite, team and recreational players run throughout the year, using our superb indoor courts in the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre, alongside nine outdoor courts. Truro School has established a strong partnership over the last ten years with Heron Tennis, whose Director of Coaching, Steve Askey, delivers our academy programme to our highest ranked performers. Players are supported by a number of experienced staff coaches who are committed to improving every player’s game. The school enters county, regional and national competitions and holds an annual Open Championship at Heron Tennis.
Our school motto, Esse Quam Videri (to be, rather than to seem to be), captures the essence of our identity and is defined by the 5 C's below. Underpinned by strong Christian principles, we are a caring and inclusive community which values, nurtures and develops each individual.
Click on the links below to find out more.
Curiosity to always want to discover and learn more, academically and more widely too.
Because we believe that academic excellence is an important part of human excellence. Every child is an individual and we celebrate and develop their uniqueness, helping them to become an independent learner and encouraging each child to explore, understand and cultivate their talent and abilities, whatever they may be.
Compassion to understand and champion the needs of others, in our community and beyond.
Because our mission challenges us to be a vibrant community which enables people to live their lives to the full and transform society for the better. Located in the heart of Cornwall, our distinctive, serene location supports the development of balanced, unpretentious and reflective children who understand their role as global citizens.
Confidence to build resilience by learning from both successes and failures alike.
Because we want every pupil to be comfortable in their own skin, celebrating the uniqueness of each individual in the school community. Through drama, presenting and public speaking opportunities, as well as appearing in productions and concerts, pupils learn key communication skills and gain the confidence to prosper in the real world.
Creativity to be imaginative in how we express ourselves and approach new challenges.
Because we value the development of pupils’ imaginative and creative dimensions as well as their characters. Through a broad curriculum and wide range of co-curricular activities, pupils discover the important balance between creative and logical thinking. These opportunities are fundamental to ensuring your son or daughter discovers their hidden gifts, developing a sense of individuality and a confidence in their own abilities.
Courage to enjoy becoming the very best of who we are, with integrity and ambition.
Because we believe that essential life skills are often best taught outside of the classroom, balancing an academic education. Through a wide-ranging co-curricular programme, we offer every child the chance to participate, perform and lead in the fields of their choice. In a competitive world these opportunities are fundamental to ensuring your son or daughter develops essential life skills and an ambition for life.
Truro School is part of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST)
MIST Registered Office: 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LH
Charity No. 1142794
Company No. 7649422