Sport
Our outstanding onsite facilities include a state-of-the-art Sports Centre complete with an impressive fitness suite, indoor swimming pool, all-weather pitch, rugby and cricket pitches, indoor and outdoor tennis and netball courts.
Our specialised coaches encourage our pupils to achieve the highest standards regardless of ability. We put together several teams so that everyone has an opportunity to compete, however we recognise that team sport is not for everyone and ensure that other options are available for those students.
The school has a strong fixture list, and we compete with the best sporting schools. The College is represented at various national and inter-schools tournaments throughout the year, including hockey, netball, tennis, and Rosslyn Park Rugby Sevens.
We have pupils that compete at county, regional, and international level.
For our elite sportsmen and women, our close proximity to the University of Bath is a tremendous bonus, with students regularly using training facilities and coaching there. Prior Park supports these students in pursuit of their goals and works with them individually to accommodate their sporting schedules, whilst making sure the demands of school life are also met.
There are plenty of whole-school sporting events to get involved in including Sports Day, Inter-House Football, The Fisher Road Relay and Staff/Student Doubles Tennis Tournament.
Tennis
The College offers a strong year-round tennis programme. Tennis is a main summer term sport, with regular local fixtures and national competition success.
- All pupils receive tennis games lessons in the summer term, with additional coaching available year-round at extra cost.
- Recreational players typically have one weekly after-school session, while higher-level players may have two or more sessions built into their timetable.
- Elite players can access a bespoke pathway through our partnership with TeamBath Tennis Academy, training during the school day (with transport provided). Entry is by assessment and requires a high standard.
- For strong players not yet at academy level, we provide enhanced school coaching alongside a university-based development squad, offering a blend of indoor and outdoor training.
Mr Girvan Dempsey, Head of Sport & Director of Rugby
Former Ireland international Girvan Dempsey is the Head of Sport and Director of Rugby at Prior Park College, where he leads and oversees the school’s sporting programme and is responsible for the development and performance of rugby across all age groups.
Girvan had a highly successful playing career, which included over 200 appearances for Leinster rugby and 82 international caps for Ireland. He was a key member of the Ireland team, alongside Brian O’Driscall and Ronan O’Gara, that secured three Triple Crowns.
Following his retirement from playing professionally, Girvan was appointed Leinster Academy Manager in 2012. This move to a career in coaching and player development progressed to helping coach the Leinster senior team. In this role, he helped the Irish province win the European Champions Cup and Pro 14 double. Girvan also coached the Emerging Ireland rugby team and was an assistant coach for the senior Ireland men’s team on their summer tour to Japan in 2017.
In 2018 he was appointed attack coach for Bath Rugby before stepping away from professional coaching to return to his passion of player development. Girvan became Head of Sport and Director of Rugby at the College in 2025.
Talking about his work at Prior Park College, Girvan Dempsey said:
“I feel incredibly proud to be part of the Prior community. Every day brings new energy and enthusiasm from the students, and it’s a privilege to see them grow in confidence through sport. My aim has always been to inspire a lifelong love of sport and exercise, and to help every student achieve their potential both on and off the field. Whether we’re developing core skills in training or competing at the highest level, we’re building teamwork and resilience that will stay with them long after they leave Prior.”
Please contact our admissions team to make an initial enquiry:
Phone: +44 (0)1225 835353 (extension 2)
Scholarship Booklet
