39% of the medals won by TeamGB at London2012 were won by pupils who were educated in UK independent schools, despite only the sector accounting for only 7% of the total school population (for full stats and a list of medallists and schools see previous blogpost)
There are very good reasons why these schools are so successful in fostering sporting success. Ultimately it comes down to valuing sport as an important part of the curriculum, and investing in it:
- Time. Pupils in Independent Schools do on average over twice as much sport a week than pupils in the Maintained Sector. Pupils in top teams routinely have practices both before and after school, in addition to their games and PE times.
- Facilities. Independent schools have invested millions in providing state-of-the-art facilities. Like most schools, Berkhamsted has a sports hall, 6 lane 25m swimming pool, extensive games pitches, weights rooms, gymnasia and so on. Furthermore, we have partnership arrangements with the local Squash and Tennis club and with the local Fitness studio.
- Coaching. Most importantly, Independent Schools invest in quality sports coaching and expertise. My last school, Kelly College in Devon, has produced 26 Olympians (mainly in Swimming) since 1980, including six Olympic medallists, with only a four-lane 25m pool. A school can boast the best facilities in the world, but without the drive and expertise of top coaches, it will be in vain.
- Bridging the 16-18 Gap. One important aspect of the sport debate that has been missed by the Government in their recent pronouncements is that young people not only need to take regular exercise and to play sport during the period of compulsory schooling, but they need to keep going from 16 until 18, when many will go on to University. Most Independent Schools make sport compulsory in the sixth form, which means that when young people move into adulthood they are accustomed to taking regular exercise and have experienced the social and health benefits of being part of team or training group.
Building a Healthy Nation.
This debate is far more important than a discussion about winning Olympic medals in 2016 and beyond. Unless we foster good habits in our young people, we are in danger that this generation will be so obese that it will trigger a health crisis that will stretch nation’s resources to breaking point. Schools, Colleges and Universities have an opportunity – and I believe a responsibility - to encourage young people to develop habits in relation to regular exercise that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Independent Schools take seriously this responsibility.
Last year 98% of the girls in Year 7 at Berkhamsted represented the school at sport. Many of them will continue with school team sports for the whole of their time at school, others will move to other forms of exercise. By the sixth form over a third of the year group are representing the school, but every single one of them will be doing at least three hours sport a week. Some will be swimming, some will be going to the gym (spinning, kick-boxing, circuit training etc), and some will be doing yoga.
Last year 98% of the girls in Year 7 at Berkhamsted represented the school at sport. Many of them will continue with school team sports for the whole of their time at school, others will move to other forms of exercise. By the sixth form over a third of the year group are representing the school, but every single one of them will be doing at least three hours sport a week. Some will be swimming, some will be going to the gym (spinning, kick-boxing, circuit training etc), and some will be doing yoga.
Independent Schools believe that sport and exercise are a fundamental part of a British education and they are willing to back up that belief with the resources that are required (time, facilities, coaching) . There is here a model that the Government would do well to replicate in the Maintained Sector.
Independent Schools - Inspiring a Generation.
See also
- 'Why are so many of Britain's Olympic athletes privately educated?' Daily Telegraph 02/08/2012
- 'Olympics 2012: third of Team GB medallists came from private schools' Guardian 14/08/2012
- 'London Olympics 2012: four-in-10 Team GB medallists "educated privately"' Daily Telegraph 14/08/2012
- 'Private Kids on the Podium' The Sun 14/08/2012
