A Brief History of William Parker Sports College

The College can trace its origins back to 1619 when the Rev. William Parker, Rector of All Saints, in his will a few days before he died set out the foundation charter of the eventual Hastings Grammar School. It was another 20 years before the School was founded and the first 'Schoolmaster' was appointed, but the charitable foundation that still supports the College today can be traced back to the first charitable gift of William Parker.

In 1708 James Saunders, a landowner in the County of Kent, remembered his home town of Hastings in his will and like William Parker, having no children, left his possessions to the corporation of Rye and Hastings to found schools.

By 1800 it is clear that both the Parker's and Saunders' schools were managed by one Schoolmaster, with the two charities financing the education of 55 scholars in total, but the two schools seem to have continued in separate buildings until 1878 when they were formally combined.

The subjects studied and the time spent on each

William Parker operates a two-week timetable. Over two weeks, there are 50 one-hour lessons.

In year 7, the majority of pupils follow courses in Maths (6 hours), English (6 hours), Science (7 hours), French (5 hours), Design Technology, ICT, History and Geography (3 hours each), PE (4 hours), RE, Art, Music and Drama (2 hours each), in addition to 2 hours of PSE and Citizenship. In some pathways, additional time is created for Literacy by reducing the number of lessons in ICT, Science and French.

In year 8, pupils follow courses in Maths (7 hours), English (6 hours), Science (6 hours), PE (4 hours) and Design Technology, French, Spanish, Geography and History (3 hours each), Music, Art, Drama, RE and ICT (2 hours each) in addition to 2 hours of PSE and Citizenship. In some pathways additional time is spent in Literacy instead of one or both languages.

In year 9, Maths, English and Science have 6 hours each, PE (4 hours), Design Technology, Geography, History, ICT, French and Spanish (3 hours each), RE, Music, Art and Drama (2 hours each). Again there is 2 hours of PSE and Citizenship. In some pathways, Literacy takes the place of one or both languages.

In years 10 and 11, every student follows a core curriculum of English, Maths, Science, PE, ICT, RE and Citizenship. Optional subjects include up to 4 of the following: Technology, Electronics, Graphics, Resistant Materials, Systems and Control, ICT, French, Spanish, History, Geography, RE, Business Studies, Media Studies, Sport, Art, Drama, Public Services, Routeways. Fuller details of these opportunities can be found in the Options booklet issued to year 9.

Athletics (Sports Day)

• Team size for house athletics would be determined by the number of events run. Houses would be at a disadvantage by not having an athlete in every event.
• House kit rule applies. Games socks optional due to some athletes wearing spikes.

• Minimum number in team: 3
• House kit rule applies.
• Each house will play a singles match and a doubles match against each house.
• No player may play in both the doubles and singles against the same house.
• Winner will be the first to 11 points

• Minimum number in team: 3
• House kit rule applies.
• Normal rules of basketball apply except:
  • Teams of 3-a-side
  • All fouls penalised with a free throw from the green line.
  • 2 personal fouls in one game will result in player being replaced.

• Number in team: 11 (Max. 13)
• House kit rule applies.
• Cricket whites can be worn.
• Junior team to be made up of year 7 & 8 pupils, including at least two year 7s.
• Intermediate team to be made up of year 9 & 10 pupils, including at least two year 9s.
• Houses will be drawn into two leagues of four teams and will play each team in their group once.
• Two teams will qualify from the group stage to play in the semi-final in the afternoon.
• The games will be played over 12 overs.
• Houses must use 5 bowlers and no one bowler may bowl more than 3 overs.
• Wide balls will count as two runs with no extra ball, with the exception of the final over where extra balls will be bowled.
• With the exception of injury, wicket keepers cannot be swapped once a game has started.
• If scores are tied at the end of the matches then the following equation will be enforced. runs scored/wickets lost divided by runs against/wickets taken
• Teams will qualify for the finals day at Horntye.

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