Today's 'A Conversation With...' features Head of Physical Education, Mrs Katie Neill. In this feature, we learn more about her passion for equestrianism, in addition to her vision for PE ahead of girls joining the College in September 2023.
What is your role at Shiplake and how long have you been here?
I joined Shiplake in September 2022 as Head of PE. Alongside this, I am a Team Leader, Moderator, and Examiner for Pearson Education, as well as an examiner for AQA.
What were you doing before Shiplake?
I started my teaching career in 2006 where I joined a state-maintained school in Maidenhead as a PE teacher. In over 17 years at that school, I had many roles such as assistant Head of Year, Head of House, 2nd in PE, and Head of PE. I have always had a passion for teaching and prior to my teaching degree, I did a lot of multisport coaching.
What is a day in the life like for you here?
My day starts early with a visit to my horse to feed him, muck out and turn out into his paddock, then I commute to school where I always ensure I have a pot of porridge and a coffee to set me up for the day ahead. A mixture of theory and practical lessons follow, which keep me and my students on our toes. I do tend to get quite enthusiastic about PE and often theory lessons include practical examples (even if it is just me standing on the tables!).
Lunchtimes are a highlight; the servery always has a delicious selection of lunches. Then it's off to the climbing wall to support the GCSE PE students with their sporting endeavours.
In the afternoon, it is Games time. I thoroughly enjoy working with the Sixth Form girls' teams and currently, the activities are netball, football, and basketball. I also work with the Year 9 boys’ football B team. I particularly like bringing my dogs to games as mascots, a role they both take very seriously!
Following this, I commute home via a visit to ride my horse, sort his stable (again!) and give him his evening feed and tuck him in to bed. Then it’s home to my husband and two labradors - Oberon and Duke (if they haven’t been on mascot duty)
We recently had the inaugural Girls' Football Night Lights; how important do you think an event like this is for girls' football and girls' sport in general?
Hockey Night Lights was such a lovely supportive event that I could not wait for the football event. These events are essential in boosting pupil participation and creating a real sense on comradery amongst the girls. I can't wait for the Year 7 girls to be able to come and watch these events and aspire to be a part of them in the future!
Female role models in sport are extremely important and something I passionately promote. Choosing just three women for the PE department to celebrate Women’s History Month was very difficult so we opted to expand it a little and celebrate The Lionesses, Karen Brown, and the Williams sisters (Serena and Venus – tennis), all of whom have been successful even in the face of adversity and are extremely inspirational.
What are your goals and visions for PE and Sport at Shiplake?
My vision for PE and sport at Shiplake is to create an inclusive environment where every pupil is given the opportunity to develop their physical literacy across a breadth of activities so they can discover their passion for leading a healthy and active lifestyle. I am so excited about the girls joining Year 7 in September. The dynamic they will bring to sport and PE will encapsulate the College’s ethos of inclusivity and individuality, and inspiring the next sporting generation.
The breadth of activities pupils will engage in will grow as the years progress and I cannot wait to share these new experiences with our pupils.
We've heard that you are quite the equestrianism enthusiast! How did you get into that and what is involved?
I absolutely love horses and my own horse, Wills, is a 15.2 Irish Sport Horse. I started riding at my local riding school at the age of six and haven’t looked back since. I got my own pony at the age of 11 and worked my way up through the Pony Club grades, participating in all disciplines from the Prince Phillip Cup to Eventing. Every holiday was spent at the stables, completely immersed in the lifestyle. My superstar pony as a teenager was called Saqr and we excelled in show jumping, winning several local and regional competitions.
Following my university degree, I bought a couple of young horses but unfortunately had some fairly serious injuries. Not to be put off, I continued to ride and bought my current horse in 2009 who is an absolute gem. We have competed in all disciplines but now focus purely on dressage where I compete in affiliated British Dressage with success. My competition highlights have been competing in Dressage and Combined Training at Riding Club National Championships and show jumping at Hickstead.
What does the future hold for Mrs Neill?
Lots of horse riding and sport! Building the profile of PE at Shiplake and embracing all new opportunities (I may even give rowing a try!).
