Thanks to this qualification, enrichment sessions this term have been host to the CCCS fencing club, a modern continuation of a distinctively Renaissance style of swordsmanship. Instantly recognisable by the beekeeper-like attire and whip-thin swords, what is now a congenial Olympic sport evolved from centuries of bloodthirsty European duels, fought with anything from lances on horseback to axes in the mud. After duelling reached the pinnacle of its refinement in the slender rapier of the seventeenth century, risking life and limb over petty interpersonal disputes spent the next two centuries going rather out of fashion. In the intervening years, the rapier became the smallsword, the smallsword became the modern foil, and the foil became the green and red plastic practice swords with which our boys have been getting to grips.

This term we’ve started with the basics: the en garde position, some footwork and a lunge or two, as well as dabbling with parries and the occasional disengage. The basics needn’t be boring though, and practising these skills has come in many forms. A favourite of last week was chasing one another back and forth (only using fencing steps of course!), the visual effect of which was not entirely dissimilar to a dozen crabs scuttling around the playground; I can vouch that, even unarmed, the boys made for intimidating assailants. We’ve also played at deflecting beanbags with foam swords, all while leaving time to trial some new techniques during a little mask-on sparring before home time.

As someone who fenced for a fair while as a teenager, I’ve really appreciated this chance to see the boys enjoying the sport whilst getting back into it in some capacity myself. What’s more, it’s given me pause to reflect on fencing’s distinctive appeal. Like many of us, I wasn’t much of a footballer; I found both ball games and teammates frustrating. Fencing manages to do without those things, whilst bringing in the geek-appeasing faux violence that any child with a toy lightsabre at home can get into. What it doesn’t do without however, are several of the merits of more conventional sports, especially respecting your opponent. It has been great to see how quickly the boys have taken to fencing etiquette, saluting one another, declaring touché when hit, and being good sportsmen all round. Now, is every salute remembered in their excitement to get on with the important business of stabbing? Of course it isn’t, but hands are still shaken afterwards and everyone departs as friends.

With the equipment acquired and several staff now qualified as instructors at plastic-swordlevel, fencing is set to become a fixture of CCCS enrichment sessions for some time to come. I hope this is welcome news for the boys who couldn’t join this term – the club proved rather popular – and I very much look forward to introducing a new batch of you to the sport.

Mr Pedr Davies
Fencing Club Leader
English Teacher