Playing the long game at Watson’s

Mike Leonard, Director of Physical Education and Sport reflects on why sport and exercise are a vital part of the Watson’s school curriculum. 

This week, we received the exciting news that George Watson’s College has been shortlisted in the Sporting Achievement category at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2025. 

Writing our submission last month, in the run up to our annual Sports Days was a great opportunity to reflect on just why sport is so special at the school and why our focus on exercise is so important at a time when the charity Youth Sport Trust has reported a decline in PE in state secondary schools that risks ‘failing a generation’.

At Watson’s, we believe exercise is more than just a subject on the timetable - it’s something that encourages lifelong involvement and enjoyment and improves attainment in other areas. From Preschool through to S6, to being a member of the Galleon or Watsonian Clubs, PE and sport play a central role in the day-to-day life of our pupils .

At just three years old, our youngest learners are introduced to physical activity by specialist PE teachers. These early sessions focus not on drills or competition, but on movement, teamwork and having fun. It’s a gentle, nurturing start that fosters confidence and curiosity, laying the foundations for a lifelong love of exercise. Whether they're running, jumping, balancing or simply learning to work together, children begin to see physical activity as a natural and exciting part of daily life.

Crucially, sport at Watson’s is inclusive. We don’t see it as something reserved for the few - we make sure it belongs to everyone. With over 30 co-curricular clubs to choose from, pupils are free to explore an extraordinary range of opportunities. From fencing and curling to polo and climbing, there’s something for everyone. We don’t expect every child to excel in one area; we encourage them to try, to explore and to discover what excites them. Because when a young person finds the activity that lights them up inside, that’s when sport becomes powerful. 

Of course, for many pupils, their sporting journey will lead to competition. And when it does, we are proud to support and celebrate those moments. Whether it’s the rugby or hockey teams lifting the Scottish cups, our U13 fencers competing for British titles or our rowers winning the Victor Ludorum, these achievements are more than trophies. They are the result of years of dedication, trust, and community support. They represent resilience built through challenge, the courage to aim high, and the strength found in shared goals.

But what matters most is not the medals - it's the mindset. At George Watson’s College, we believe that physical activity should empower every child, not just the most talented. We believe it should teach resilience, foster friendship, and bring joy. From high-level competition to social table tennis or badminton with friends, we see the value in every kind of participation.

Above all, we believe that sport should be a lifelong companion - one that continues to support health, happiness and wellbeing long after our pupils leave the playing field.

Pupils are encouraged to join clubs outside of school hours, helping them connect with others in the wider community. We believe that early exposure to club sport makes it far more likely that young people will stay active and involved as they grow. Our partnerships with Watsonian Hockey, Rugby, and Cricket Clubs are great examples of this in action - working together to create lifelong pathways in sport.

That’s why we place such importance on exercise. Because when pupils discover that sport is something they love to do, not something they have to do, it becomes more than just a game - it becomes a way of life.