Pentathlon

Leweston Pentathlon Talent Hub

The Leweston Pentathlon Talent Hub seeks to develop athletes of all abilities and backgrounds in the five sports of the Modern Pentathlon: Fencing, Swimming, Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) and Laser-Run. The Hub is home to young athletes from across the region and you don't need to be a Leweston pupil to get involved.

We host pentathlon events, training camps and taster sessions, to allow young people to come to the school and try out the various disciplines.

The Leweston Pentathlon Programme

The Pentathlon programme at Leweston is open to athletes of all abilities and any pupil in the school can join in. Pupils in Prep 3 upwards can start to take part in local events and competitions and for those who have the potential to join the Performance Squad, there is the opportunity for additional coaching, personalised training and a move to regional and national competitions. Pupils in the Prep have competed at National, European and World Championships.

Leweston’s highly experienced Head of Pentathlon, Mick Flaherty, leads a team of specialist coaches many of whom are involved with the National squad. The team deliver a weekly onsite training programme as well as mentoring, tailored to individual needs and abilities.

The Leweston Pentathlon Programme is divided into three stages:

Development

For younger athletes who come onto the programme with little experience, or those who do not wish to be part of a full training programme and just take part in local events and competitions. Many Prep School pupils start on the Development Programme.

Potential

For athletes who have been following a regular training programme; have been taking part in local events regularly and have started to take part at a regional and national level. This stage is also for younger athletes who show the potential to move into the Performance Squad.

Performance

For athletes from Year 9 and above who have been on a regular training programme for at least a year. They will have been taking part in national events and are looking to move to a more challenging training programme with more regular national and/or competition.

The Pentathlon Talent Pathway

Performance athletes have a sport-specific mentor, and the school supports access to external training opportunities with organisations such as Bath Swords as well as offering onsite training in shooting, fencing, running, swimming and obstacle. For those athletes who have ambitions to compete at the highest level, Leweston offers the opportunity for pupils to immerse themselves physically, mentally and academically in the elite programme. Coaches work closely with academic staff to ensure an appropriate balance of training, competition and commitment to academic studies. Many Sixth Form athletes study either A Level Physical Education or Sport BTEC alongside their sporting commitments and are offered leadership opportunities within the Department.

All pupils participating in the Pentathlon programme have access to our own specialist coaches, many of whom work with the GB Team. They are supported with goal setting and have regular performance reviews. They are provided with individual training programmes which include strength and conditioning and nutritional guidance and advice. There are opportunities to attend sports seminars with professional athletes and coaches.

Tom Johnson

Tom is a regular fixture in the GB Pentathlon team and is current U19 Biathle Team Relay World Champion. In 2022 he won the U17 Biathle World Championships where he also took Silver and Bronze Medals in Triathle and Biathle.

Izzy Kettle

Izzy started competing when she joined the Prep and was U11 National Triathle Champion by the time she was in Prep 4. She has competed at European and World Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run Championships.

Pentathlon Scholarships

Leweston’s Pentathlon Scholarship Programme supports students with exceptional ability and commitment across the five disciplines of Modern Pentathlon: running, swimming, fencing, shooting, and obstacle course racing. Scholarships are awarded at Year 7, Year 9, and Sixth Form entry, each offering an annual fee remission. Assessment includes a sports CV, video submission, references from current coaches, and a performance evaluation across disciplines. Candidates also attend an interview with the Director of Sport and Head of Pentathlon to discuss their training, tactical understanding, and awareness of current sporting topics. Scholars benefit from specialist coaching, monthly one-to-one mentoring, and access to workshops and seminars. They are expected to represent Leweston at local and national events, act as ambassadors for the sport, and support the development of younger athletes.