Archery is a traditional strength at The John Lyon School, and one of the highlights of the year is the prestigious Silver Arrow contest between The John Lyon School and Harrow School.

The contest has its origins in the silver arrow that was shot for annually by boys from Harrow School. The practice was abandoned in 1771 because it had apparently been attracting undesirable characters to the Hill. It was resurrected in its present form, as a competition between the two schools, in 1986, since when JLS has won on all but three occasions.