Introducing a New Sports Colours Framework from 2026
Sport is an important part of life at TWGGS, providing pupils with opportunities to develop commitment, teamwork, leadership and resilience, as well as to represent the school and pursue sporting interests beyond the classroom.
From this academic year onwards, the school will introduce a new Sports Colours framework, extending recognition of sporting commitment and achievement across the whole school. The new framework has been designed to provide greater opportunities for pupils to have their dedication to sport recognised, whilst establishing a clear and transparent criteria for achieving Colours. Recognising Sporting Achievement
Under the current system, Sports Colours are awarded to Year 9 pupils, with recognition based largely on attendance and representation. The new framework will broaden this approach by introducing three stages of recognition:
This creates a pathway through the school, recognising that sporting commitment can develop at different stages of a pupil's education. The framework will encompass school sports both within and outside school, enabling the school to recognise a broader range of sporting participation and achievement. Junior Colours Junior Colours, for pupils in Years 7 and 8, are intended to encourage early engagement with sport and reward commitment. Pupils will be expected to demonstrate consistent attendance at sports clubs, positive sporting values and, where appropriate to the sport, representation in school fixtures. Attendance will therefore form an important part of the recognition process.
Junior Colours awarded in Year 8 will be represented by a badge which pupils will be expected to sew onto their skort or hoodie. The intention is that the badge becomes a visible and lasting representation of the pupil's hard work and dedication to sport at TWGGS. Intermediate Colours Intermediate Colours will apply to pupils in Years 9 and 10 and will focus on sporting development, school representation and progression. Pupils will be expected to demonstrate active representation in school A/B teams and maintain a high standard of attendance throughout the year.
An important feature of the new framework is that Junior Colours are not a prerequisite for Intermediate Colours. The school recognises that pupils may discover a particular sport or develop their sporting interests at different points in their education. Pupils will therefore be able to work towards Intermediate Colours even if they have not previously achieved Junior Colours.
Intermediate Colours will be awarded in Year 10 and will similarly provide a tangible recognition of a pupil's dedication and contribution to school sport. Senior Colours
Senior Colours will provide the highest level of recognition within the framework for pupils in Years 11, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth. Both half and full Colours will be available. At this level, recognition will focus on higher levels of sporting performance, leadership and service. Criteria will include regular first-team representation, exceptional leadership, County or National selection, and significant service to school sport, including coaching. Senior Colours will also recognise sporting achievement outside school. This is particularly relevant to sports which may not be widely available within the school environment. Pupils achieving to a high standard in activities such as fencing or sailing, for example, may be able to demonstrate their sporting commitment outside school.
For Senior Colours, pupils will be required to provide evidence of the level at which they participate. A transparent approach to attendance and commitment Attendance at sporting activities will be an important component of the Colours process. Pupils must not miss more than two sessions during the relevant sporting activity timeframe, and they must have the appropriate kit for an attendance mark to be recorded. Where a pupil is absent, responsibility rests with the pupil to inform their PE teacher so that the register can be coded appropriately.
The framework also takes account of injury. Where a pupil is injured and unable to participate fully, they are still expected, where possible, to attend the club to support and observe. This reflects the wider principle that commitment to a team and sporting activity extends beyond simply participating when circumstances allow. Developing skills beyond sport The introduction of the new Colours framework is intended to provide pupils with a sustained incentive to remain involved in sport and wider school life throughout their education. The school also recognises that sporting participation can help pupils develop qualities that are valuable beyond school. The framework identifies dedication, leadership and balance as skills demonstrated through sporting involvement.
For older pupils, particularly those in Sixth Form, Senior Colours will provide formal recognition of these qualities and of their contribution to school sport. This can give pupils a clear way of demonstrating their leadership, commitment and ability to balance sporting activity with their academic responsibilities when preparing future applications. A recognition system for every sporting journey The new Sports Colours framework reflects the fact that pupils' sporting journeys are individual. Some will develop their interests from an early age, while others may discover a passion for a particular sport later in their school career. Some will represent TWGGS regularly, while others may achieve significant success through sporting activities outside school.
By extending Colours from Year 7 through to Upper Sixth, the school aims to create a more inclusive and consistent approach to recognising sporting dedication and achievement. The introduction of Junior, Intermediate and Senior Colours will provide pupils with clear opportunities to work towards recognition at different stages of their school career, while celebrating the commitment, participation, leadership and service that they contribute to the sporting life of TWGGS.
If you have any questions regarding the Colours, please contact the PE Department at pedept@twggs.kent.sch.uk.