Raising the bar: London school brings in weightlifting and callisthenics for sixth formers
New sixth form programme emphasises exercise, cultural literacy and leadership
A new sixth form programme at a school in London has begun weightlifting and callisthenics for sixth form students in a bid to improve physical and mental health.
Hampton Court House has begun a new programme of activity for its sixth form students, improving mental and physical health.
The programme encourages students to take part in a range of activities. Students take part in tailor-made functional fitness and gym programmes, with light weights and flexibility sessions run by specialist trainers.
Studies have clearly established the benefits of exercise to teenagers, including increased concentration and a greater attention span. One recent study found that 26% of the positive variation in tests to measure attention was down to a teenager’s fitness level.
Research has also shown the positive impact of physical exercise on mental health, with a recent University of Edinburgh study showing exercise decreasing levels of emotional difficulty and symptoms of depression.
Janak Odedra, Director of Sports at Hampton Court House, explained the logic behind including weightlifting in the Sixth Form programme. He commented:
'While traditional sports offer many benefits, weight training provides focused advantages in physical development, injury prevention, and the pursuit of personal fitness goals.“For our sixth form students, incorporating weight training can significantly complement the skills acquired through traditional sports, establishing a well-rounded foundation for lifelong fitness.
'Whilst it’s common for our students to participate in sports outside of school, access to proper knowledge and guidance on effective weightlifting techniques can often be limited.
'By equipping students with the opportunity to learn and practice these techniques, we not only promote our objective of lifelong participation in physical activity but also prepare them for future pursuits, such as sports they wish to pursue at university and beyond.'
The sixth form programme also encourages leadership, cultural literacy, and giving back to the community. Speakers are invited into school to engage with students on topical issues, students engage in cultural appreciation activities such as visiting the opera or the ballet and are encouraged to mentor and volunteer within both the school and the broader community .
The school - where students don’t wear uniform and call teachers by their first names - began the programme in September of last year. The new programme is designed to help students develop, both academically and outside their school work, with pupils lunging, curling and squatting their way to better health.
Katherine Vintiner, Principal at Hampton Court House said: '
We have always done things a little differently here at Hampton Court House, and this new programme for our sixth form students is the latest example of that.
'We take our student’s academic progress and exam results extremely seriously - as evidenced by our results as a school - but we also want to ensure that our pupils leave us as well-rounded young people across a range of activities.
'For many of our students, they may not have experienced activities like weight exercise before, and the programme exposes them to new ways of staying healthy. Elements of our new programme, such as weightlifting, volunteering and cultural activities are designed to come together, resulting in both healthy minds and bodies.'
The initiative is the latest forward-thinking project at Hampton Court House. The school were frontrunners in banning mobile phones for pupils, who instead place them in magnetically sealed pouches whilst on school grounds. Students polled since the change have reported greater wellbeing, better friendships and improved concentration without the distraction of mobile phones.
June 2025