Event information
What is the Public Schools' Fencing Championships?
The Public Schools' Fencing Championships is an annual 3 day fencing competition for children ages 11-18, with fencing at all three weapons. It is the largest competition of its kind in the UK.
Participating schools must meet certain eligibility criteria to enter.
Location Information - venue for 2025
The 2025 Public Schools' Fencing Championships will be held at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Lee Valley Leisure Complex, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, N9 0AR. Lee Valley is situated in north London about 10 miles from the city centre.
By Northmetpit at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Getting to the venue
The address of the venue is Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Lee Valley Leisure Complex, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, N9 0AR.
By train
The nearest train stations are Ponders End (20 mins walk away) and Edmonton Green (about 25 mins journey by bus). Both stations are on a direct line to Liverpool Street station (Greater Anglia service).
By tube
The nearest tube station is Tottenham Hale on the Victoria Line. Change to the Greater Anglian service to Ponders End.
By road
Leave the M25 at junction 25 towards London (N & C) & Enfield. Immediately turn left at the first traffic lights. Follow straight ahead for approximately 6 miles along the A1055 (Meridian Way). The complex is on the left-hand side which comprises the Lee Valley Campsite, Lee Valley Athletics Centre and the Odeon Cinema. Lee Valley Athletics Centre also has its own carpark, however this may become busy on event days. If you're coming from the A406 (North Circular Road) make sure you take the exit slip road at the Kenning Hall Interchange on to A1055 to Brimsdown.
Map to the venue
A map is shown below, or can be found
here: https://goo.gl/maps/HnhfifcEZUoKAR8s9, or alternatively by using a QR reader on your smart phone to scan the code:
Dates for 2025 events
The 2025 Public Schools' Fencing Championships will be held at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Lee Valley Leisure Complex, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, N9 0AR on Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th March.
| Tuesday 18th March |
Wednesday 19th March |
Thursday 20th March |
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Check-in times for individual events are listed below.
Entry opening and closing dates
Entry pages will open on 6 January 2025.
Entry pages will close at midnight 21 February 2025.
Late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Schools' responsibility to provide referees
It is a requirement for those schools with 5 - 9 entries on any one day to provide 1 referee at their own cost. Schools with 10 - 19 entries on any one day are required to provide 2 referees at their own cost. Schools with 20 or more fencers on any one day are required to provide 3 referees at their own cost.
Referees’ names must be provided no later than the entry closing date. These should be entered on the website entry form alongside school entries. If further updates are needed to referee names, please confirm these using the contact form on the website.
School referees must be competent at the weapons being fenced on the day they are provided otherwise the schools obligation will not be considered fulfilled.
Please enter the names of your nominated referees when prompted on the entry pages.
If schools are unable to source a referee by this date they are able to pay a fee of £250 per referee/per day to the Championships, which will be used to source and cover the full costs of a suitably competent referee.
If a school fails to provide the required number of individuals whose sole function is to referee, they are liable to have their entries capped to the appropriate level on that particular day. The referee must report to DT by the close of check-in of the first event in which the school is taking part that day.
Those schools who fail to provide their required number of referees in any one year will not be allowed to take part in the Championships the following year.
Independent Referees
As in previous years the PSFC are prepared to pay a daily per diem plus reasonable travel expenses to referees. We will also arrange accommodation for those referees who are prepared to spend more than one day with us. However, this will only apply to those who register with us beforehand and receive confirmation from us that they are expected. Please use the contact us page on the PSFC web site, giving your name, refereeing experience, the days you can referee, whether you require accommodation and the approximate value of your travel costs.
The committee would also welcome Old Boys and Girls who might be available to referee even on just one day, but agreement from the organisers must be sought beforehand. For students attending solely to referee we are willing to pay £85 per full day and reasonable travel costs for attending the competition. They will also be provided with refreshments. For those able to referee for more than one day accommodations may be provided.
Please contact the committee via the website Contact page in the first instance.
Age Limits
| Event | School years (indicative only, DOB determines event eligibility) |
Age limits |
| Senior events: | 12 and 13 | Fencers born before 1st Sept 2008 |
| Junior events: | 10 and 11 | Fencers born on or between 1st Sept 2008 and 31st Aug 2010 |
| “Mount-Haes” events: | 7, 8 and 9 | Fencers born on or between 1st Sept 2010 and 31st Aug 2013 |
Please note that starting with the 2023 Championships, we are extending the age range of the Mount-Haes competitions to cover Year 7. The above table reflects the qualified age ranges for competitors. To accommodate a third year within this age group the competition will be reduced from 15 to 10 hits in Direct Elimination rounds, to ensure the continued smooth running of the Championships.
Weapons
All events will be fenced with electric weapons throughout.
The following blade sizes will apply to the “Mount-Haes” events:
Foil: Size 3. Epée & Sabre: Size 2.
Eligibility
All competitors must be at a school represented on the Headmasters' & Headmistresses’ Conference or the Girls' Schools Association during the term in which the Championships are held. (A school that ceases to be so represented may continue to enter pupils as long as it competes each year).
Competitors must be pupils at the school during the term the Championships are held.
Eligibility for team events is to be found on the trophy page of the website.
Schools are limited to a maximum of 10 fencers in any one event.
How to register a school
In order to take part, competitors must be at an eligible school.
To register a new school, first please login or create an account on the site. Once you have confirmed your email address and logged in, you will be able to register a new school. Registration may be done before or after the entry pages open.
To register a school, you will need the contact details for the teacher in charge of fencing.
If you have forgotten your password or the school contact email address has changed, please do not re-register the school . Please request a new password if you have access to the email address, or use the contact page to let us know and we will contact you to update the login email address.
Entry Fees
The entry fee will be £33 per fencer per event for the 2025 Championships.
Please note that once entries are submitted at the closing of the entry pages, we expect full payment of the entry fees as shown on the school’s entry summary form.
Refunds will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Signed entry summary sheet and payment, either by bank transfer or cheque, for the full entry fees as shown on the entry sheet should be received by the Organising Committee Treasurer at the latest 7 March 2025.
Should full fees as shown on the entry summary sheet not be received, a school’s total entry may be suspended. Entries for the following year’s Championships will not be allowed until full payment has been received and a £50 reactivation fee may be charged.
Information required to enter
The organisers require the following information about each fencer wishing to participate:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Weapon to be fenced
- Gender
- Emergency contact name
- Emergency contact telephone number
As an aid to help you prepare your entry an printable entry sheet is available to collect the information on your fencers. This will allow you to collate all the necessary information about your fencers to help you with the entry process when the entry pages open.
Please pay particular attention to obtaining the fencer's correct date of birth as this automatically puts the fencer in to their correct age group event when you enter their details on the entry page.
Information about how this data is used and the PSFC privacy policy can be found on the policies page.
Rules
The Championships will be held in accordance with the British Fencing rules with a mixture of Poules and Direct Elimination. The Organising Committee reserves the right to make such changes as it considers necessary for the smooth running of the competition.
The British Fencing guidelines concerning safe clothing and equipment are brought to the attention of competitors and Teachers-in-Charge; they will be strictly enforced. In particular, masks must have back-straps in good condition. The wearing of breeches and long socks is compulsory in all events. Track suit bottoms are not allowed. Gloves should be in good condition, without holes, and close easily over the sleeve of the fencing jacket.
The following table explains the minimum kit and clothing strengths we require fencers to wear during the next Championships.
| Senior Events | Junior Events | Mount-Haes Events | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon size | 5 | 5 | Epée & Sabre: 2 Foil: 3 |
| Masks* | 350N (CEN 1) | 350N (CEN 1) | 350N (CEN 1) |
| Jackets | 350N (CEN 1) | 350N (CEN 1) | 350N (CEN 1) |
| Plastrons | 800N (CEN 2) | 800N (CEN 2) | 350N (CEN 1) |
| Sabre Gloves | 800N (CEN 2) | 800N (CEN 2) | - |
| Chest protectors | Girls | Girls | Girls |
| Breeches | 350N (CEN 1) | 350N (CEN 1) | 350N (CEN 1) |
| Long socks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Any competitor whose equipment is deemed unsafe (in the view of the Committee, whose decision shall be final) will not be permitted to compete using that equipment. There will be an equipment stall provided by Leon Paul at the event for purchase of new equipment if needed.
* - Masks with lamé bibs are a requirement in the Senior and Junior foil events. The lamé bib is not required for the Mount-Haes events.
800N sabre gloves are a requirement in the Senior and Junior sabre events. They are not required for the Mount-Haes events.
Competitors arm, equip and clothe themselves and fence at their own risk.
Check-in times
| Event | Date | Latest Check-in time |
|---|---|---|
| Boys' Senior Foil | 2025-03-18 | 09:00 AM |
| Boys' Junior Epée | 2025-03-18 | 09:00 AM |
| Boys' Mount-Haes Epée | 2025-03-18 | 10:00 AM |
| Girls' Mount-Haes Foil | 2025-03-18 | 12:30 PM |
| Girls' Junior Foil | 2025-03-18 | 12:30 PM |
| Girls' Senior Foil | 2025-03-18 | 01:00 PM |
| Boys' Senior Epée | 2025-03-19 | 09:00 AM |
| Boys' Junior Foil | 2025-03-19 | 09:00 AM |
| Boys' Mount-Haes Foil | 2025-03-19 | 10:00 AM |
| Girls' Mount-Haes Epée | 2025-03-19 | 12:00 PM |
| Girls' Junior Epée | 2025-03-19 | 12:00 PM |
| Girls' Senior Epée | 2025-03-19 | 01:00 PM |
| Boys' Senior Sabre | 2025-03-20 | 09:00 AM |
| Boys' Junior Sabre | 2025-03-20 | 09:00 AM |
| Boys' Mount-Haes Sabre | 2025-03-20 | 09:00 AM |
| Girls' Senior Sabre | 2025-03-20 | 11:15 AM |
| Girls' Junior Sabre | 2025-03-20 | 11:15 AM |
| Girls' Mount-Haes Sabre | 2025-03-20 | 11:15 AM |
The reporting times for the various events are staggered to assist with the running of the competitions. Please check individual entry sheets for details of latest check-in times. Fencers must report before the quoted time or they will be excluded from their competition. Please, therefore, make due allowance for travelling to the venue during the morning rush hour. If there should be an unexpected delay, competitors may ring Lee Valley Athletic Centre reception on 020 8344 7230 to say they are on their way but may be late and stating their name(s), school and event(s). A place will be kept for such a fencer for as long as is feasible consistent with the interests of the other fencers, after which she/he will be excluded from the event. This rule will be strictly enforced to ensure smooth running of the event and fairness to other competitors.
Every effort will be made, assuming the complete co-operation of fencers, teachers i/c, coaches, etc. to finish fencing as early as possible each day. However, all those concerned should note that the finish of fencing in some events may be in the region of 7:00pm.
Schools' Responsibilities
The Committee and organisers of the Championships attempt to ensure that they take place in a safe and secure way and can confirm to schools that they do have arrangements in place for first aid provision. However, schools are reminded that the safety and welfare of young fencers remains with them and the nominated responsible adult who is acting “in loco parentis”. Schools accept responsibility for the behaviour of their pupils.
Schools entering fencers are responsible for arranging the correct number of staff/supervisors in the appropriate male/female ratio to properly supervise their pupils attending the Championships.
In the unlikely event that any fencer receive a black card during the Championships then they will be excluded from any further participation in the remainder of the Championships regardless of when the black card is received.
In addition, the Committee and organisers believe that it is the responsibility of all adults attending the Championships to set an example of good and sporting behaviour.
Schools must also ensure that their fencers are aware of the importance of warming up properly before they commence fencing in order to ensure that they do not suffer from any muscular injury during the event.
A set of information to inform teachers' risk assessments is provided on this site.
Should daily entry numbers require it, the school will meet their obligation to provide referees.
Schools' Insurance Responsibilities
Schools must ensure their pupils are insured whilst competing in the Championships. The PSFC Committee provide Public Liability Insurance cover for the Championship’s organising team and those attending the event as required by the venue.
The Championships are not registered with British Fencing. However British Fencing membership will provide insurance cover for fencers competing in the Championships.
Membership of British Fencing is not a requirement for fencers to take part in the Championships. If a fencer is not a member of British Fencing, their school must ensure that their own insurance policy covers their pupil for accident and injury whilst competing in the sport of Fencing at the Championships.
Refreshments
Schools should please make their own arrangements to provide food and drinks during the Championships.
We expect there to be a catering van to be at the venue during the competition. Eliot Rogers who runs the food van is happy for you to contact him directly if you would like him to provide packed lunches for the children. He can offer a selection of options for packed lunches. His contact details are: Eliot Rogers, Mama Bars Tel: 0787 603 1167 Email: eliot@mamabars.co.uk
Equipment Purchase and Armourer
Leon Paul will have a stand at the Sports Centre. This year their sponsorship includes over £1,500 worth of prize vouchers, the provision of all the equipment for all 26 pistes and the provision of 16 conductive pistes. If you know in advance of any specific items you intend to buy at the PSFC, they suggest that you order them (as soon as possible, please) by phone, fax or email (Tel: 020 7388 8132; Fax: 020 7388 8134; email: sales@leonpaul.com) or via their online ordering.
We are by no means certain that we will be able to have an armourer present at Lee Valley. Schools should therefore make every effort to ensure their equipment is in a usable state before arrival. If we are able to arrange for an armourer to be there then there will be a charge for any work undertaken on the basis of the necessary costs.
Competitions and Points
There will be two rounds of poules followed by direct elimination. From 2025, a format will be used such that all fencers compete in either 2 rounds of poules, or 1 round of poules and a direct eliminiation round.
After the first round, as near as possible to 20% of competitors will proceed to DE as the top seeds. The remainder will compete in a second round of poules to qualify for the DE. After the second round approximately 50% of those fencing will be eliminated. The net effect will be that 60% of the original starters are promoted to the DE. Points will be awarded as described below. Exactly the same points will be awarded towards the champion-at-arms trophies as those gained towards the school team competitions.
The following approach will be taken to apply seedings in the competition:
- Round 1 is seeded via the rankings provided by the schools and club protection is in place.
- Round 2 is seeded from the results of Round 1 and club protection is not in place.
- Round 3 (Direct elimination) is seed from the results of Round 2 only.
Points scoring
The further a fencer gets in a competition the more points they will score for themselves and their school. There will generally be more points available in an event with a large entry than in an event with a small entry as the larger competition will have more rounds.
Fencers can only win the Champion-at-Arms trophy for their age group if they score at least 1 point in each of the three weapon events.
Scoring points in an event:
- Those finishing in the bottom 20% will score nothing.
- Those who are above the bottom 20%, but do not qualify for the first round of DE, will score 1 point.
- Those who lose in their first round of DE will score 2 points.
- Each further DE round to the L32 gains 1 additional point for the fencer.
- Achieving a L16 gains an additional 2 points.
- Achieving a L8 brings between a further 2 to 5 points as we separate 5th to 8th place.
- Equal 3rd place gains a further 2 points, 2 more for 2nd place and 2 more points to the winner.
As an example: in an event with a DE starting at L64 those knocked out in this round will get 2 points, those losing in the L32, 3 points and those losing in the L16 will get 5 points. Thereafter the points are: 8th – 7 pts; 7th – 8 pts; 6th – 9 pts; 5th – 10 pts; 3rd – 12 pts each; 2nd – 14 pts; 1st – 16 pts.
These points go towards a fencer's individual champion-at-arms' scores as well as contributing to their school's overall total of points.
The table below shows the point scores based on size of event and the current agreed level of cuts after the 2nd round of poules.
| Number of competitors in the event: | 200-108 | 107-55 | 54-28 | 27-15 | 14-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points by fencer achieving: | |||||
| Ranked in the bottom 20% after the second round of poules | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Those ranked above the bottom 20% after the second round of poules | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| L128 | 2 | ||||
| L64 | 3 | 2 | |||
| L32 | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||
| L16 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | |
| 8th | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 7th | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| 6th | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| 5th | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| 3rd equal | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
| 2nd | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| 1st | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 |
Trophies
Team trophies will be awarded as in the previous Championships and the last 8 in each event will receive plaques. The winners of each individual weapon event will also receive a prize from Leon Paul. Current holders of trophies, or Teachers-in-Charge if the fencer concerned has left school or a team trophy is held, are reminded that they should be returned cleaned and engraved by 8.30am on the first morning of the Championships at the latest.
The Committee wishes to remind Teachers-in-Charge about the procedure with regard to the responsibility for trophies once they have been presented because many of them have significant monetary value and, in some cases, considerable historic value as well. Consequently, a form will need to be signed by the individual winners and countersigned by a school representative or, in the case of team trophies, just signed by the school representative. You may wish to make enquiries before coming to the Championships that appropriate insurance is in place to cover the safe keeping of each trophy should your school be fortunate enough to win any.
Lost Property
Schools are reminded that the Committee cannot accept responsibility for returning items of fencing kit or personal property lost or left behind at the Athletics Centre. Everyone concerned should make every effort to make enquiries before they leave the Athletics Centre. All items left behind will be handed to Reception at the Sports Centre to whom all subsequent enquiries should be addressed.
Results
Live results for the Championships will be available online - the address for that will be confirmed following the entry payment deadline, and QR codes will be available on the event days to direct you to the link.