Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Private school sports

29 replies

Turquoiseisblue · 09/11/2014 21:42

Just wondering if anyone knows how easy it might be to get DS out of playing endless weekend sports if should go to private school? He's in year 6 and is blessed with the twin traits of being tall, fast and rather good at almost any sport he put his mind to but also a deep hatred of cold wet fields! He's aware he'll have to participate to a certain extent but the idea of giving up his Saturdays is too much for him. Most of the schools state that extracurricular activities are optional - but also that they are expected to represent the school when required.
We don't like to ask directly for fear of it being a black mark against his application but it's actually putting him off his otherwise favourite choice.
He does love cricket (warmer in the summer) which will at least mean one term is ok but also means he can't pretend he can't catch for the rugby selection Grin
Has anyone got any advice or experience?

Thanks!

OP posts:
skylark2 · 09/11/2014 22:10

I'd suspect that if he actively hates rugby he's unlikely to be (or appear to be) good enough at it to get into a school team, unless it's a tiny school.

DS also loathes team ball sports. Teams are selected from the lunchtime and after school clubs which he doesn't go to because he's not interested (and in any case is always in orchestra / choir / digeridoo practice / insert all available musical activities here).

Saturday school is on the way out round here - the only remaining school which did it stopped a couple of years ago.

Original poster
Turquoiseisblue · 09/11/2014 22:10

Thanks Leeds Smile
They appear to have 4 teams for a year of only 100 boys and DS has had experience of being pressured into playing A team sport in the past by an overly keen football coach! As I say there is this inconsistent message about 'optional' Saturdays but compulsory representational sport Confused

OP posts:
Coconutty · 09/11/2014 22:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Leeds2 · 09/11/2014 22:03

My experience at my DD's school is that they all have to do a particular sport in PE, but only those who go to the after school club get picked for the teams. There will probably be lots of boys who will be far more enthusiastic than your DS, so I wouldn't let this put him off.

Many schools do have Saturday (morning or all day) as compulsory, regardless of whether they are playing in a school team.

Swipe left for the next trending thread