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Original poster

Are private school /boarding school kids just sportier overall & into adulthood?

89 replies

Homeontherangeuk · 19/07/2021 07:48

Asking after making observations with my own peer group... I shunned sports & was allowed skive at my comp. I was too self conscious in front of the boys to join in & to this day I can't swim & I participate in no sports...
The lockdown made me realise how sporty my circle of friends was particularly the privately educated.. A few still play adult lacrosse & hockey, all sea swim regularly, horse ride, run, play tennis & badminton... It's part of their lifestyle..
I asked my closest friend if there was a correlation with her sporty lifestyle & school & she said school provided a great deal of sports time, large pitches with a large focus on matches etc...
When my sporty friends & acquaintances were choosing schools sports & sports facilities were a big selling point, just as important as the academics... All their kids are now extremely sporty & outdoorsy too... Just wondering if this is across the board?

OP posts:

RhodesianRidgeback · 19/07/2021 07:51

It’s not universal - I went to a private school and still managed to hate sports!

But yes, in general, private schools are likely to have better sports facilities, likely to have parents who can pay for extra coaching and sports kit and trips to competitions, are likely to have lower class sizes so get through the academic stuff more quickly, and often have longer days allowing for more time to do sports.

A lot of the privately educated adults I know still do organised or competitive sports.

careerchangeperhaps · 19/07/2021 07:52

Private schools value sports in a way that comprehensives generally do not.
At my DC's comp, PE lessons are mediocre and 'serious' sport takes place in after-school clubs, which are optional. Unfortunately, as we're in a rural community, the vast majority of pupils at this school (it's a big one with around 300 pupils per year) attend by school bus from outlying villages that have no public bus service to the town where the school is located. Therefore, staying for after school clubs is difficult if your parents work as the school buses leave at 3:15 when the main school day finishes and there's no other way to get home if a parent can't collect at 4:30 when clubs finish.

Viviennethebeautiful · 19/07/2021 07:54

My son went to one of those schools.He has never voluntarily played a sport in his life and actively avoids them. He does however do weights and cardio. In his case, the need to be healthy was ingrained by the school but not the fun.

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LizziesTwin · 19/07/2021 07:54

They could also have had a higher income/more familial support as young adults so more leisure time/disposable income so more energy to keep exercising.

Dds privately educated, both v active. Son also privately educated, walks to supermarkets but that’s as active as he gets.

KingdomScrolls · 19/07/2021 07:55

Boris Johnson was privately educated, he's hardly a picture of sporting prowess

Insert1x20p · 19/07/2021 07:58

Particularly with boarding school, it probably makes your hobbies less dependent on your parents' hobbies, and you get a broader range of opportunities and so are more likely to find something you like doing.

There are some sports that have a high intergenerational "pass on"- I'm thinking equestrian sports, sailing, skiing, climbing in particular, but also to an extent team sports. Of DS's rugby team, at least half the boys have dads who either still play or at least played into adulthood. Hockey also seems to be quite a family sport- lots of DD's teammates have parents who play.

Original poster

Homeontherangeuk · 19/07/2021 08:02

@KingdomScrolls

Boris Johnson was privately educated, he's hardly a picture of sporting prowess

I'm so sorry I can't stop laughing at this 😂 you're so right! I was picturing the Middleton sisters Kate & Pippa as the epitome of the private school sporty types hadn't factored Boris in the equation 😁

OP posts:

mdh2020 · 19/07/2021 08:03

The main thing about private schools is that they foster a self confidence in both boys and girls that is very noticeable. My son and his friends have it, as does my 9 year old GD.

reluctantbrit · 19/07/2021 08:04

I think it depends more on the family home and attitude. I hate sport, regardless of how good my PE lessons were. One of my biggest issue is that I hate team sports so apart from gymnastics I hated PE. I was still fairly active as my parents made sure I cycle instead of being driven everywhere, we walked to shops etc.

Public schools can have awesome facilities, but I think for state schools it idepends on how determine the head is to ensure pupils get the best they are able to provide. DD is at a state comp and their facilities are ok-ish but their teachers are determine to get them active and try out a lot of various sports. She is not keen on PE lessons but loves her school dance lessons, rides, swims and has dance outside school.

But that is then a matter of family funds, but I think we would have pushed her into at least one physical activity.

Ylvamoon · 19/07/2021 08:05

We are outdoorsy / sporty, DC attend state school. One DC hates school sports on every level but is excelling at chosen sports, plus enjoying hiking/ cycling as a family.

Maybe it has to do what is offered to DC and if they feel comfortable with the sports. Teenagers can be very self-conscious- especially girls.

Foxhasbigsocks · 19/07/2021 08:07

Borris might not look it but he’s actually quite sporty I think. Used to see him playing tennis on Highbury Fields!

MsTSwift · 19/07/2021 08:09

I think it’s more the family attitude tbh.

The private school kids I know are utterly mute not seeing the self confidence!

Rosiiiiie · 19/07/2021 08:11

I went to a private boarding school and I hate sport. Having said that I do know how to play a range of sports and still go horse riding occasionally because I grew up with it.

AnotherNewt · 19/07/2021 08:13

I think that the amount of sport is more, which sets a different normal. And the range is usually way better - 18 or more sports offered?

Much more chance that someone will find their tribe, and try more sports and find one they really like and will continue with.

But of course the unsporty will find their tribes too, which may well be completely different, and sport will never be a big thing for them. But they might well have found a couple of ones they like even if they only participate occasionally.

It's one of the little ways why private schools are not just about class sizes and exam results.

Original poster

Homeontherangeuk · 19/07/2021 08:15

One of my dc is an elite level gymnast but she has no other interest in sports beside her gymnastics 🙄 wouldn't be all around sporty like my friends dc who are competent at hockey, lacrosse, tennis, basketball etc... When we meet up up with certain families they always have a ball, a few racquets in the car & always find a spot to play in the park... Despite dds high level in gymnastics she struggles with ball sports & hates team sports!
The private school families kids live for match days & happily try their hand at any sport!
I think it's very interesting & I actually envy my friends with their sporty lifestyles & kids😔

OP posts:

PermanentTemporary · 19/07/2021 08:24

Yes I think the increased base level of facilities, time and expectations means sporting type activity is just more normal as they grow up.

Ds is state educated, dh was private until 14 followed by a sporty grammar. Ds has found one sport he loves and is good at (plus loves the gym and cycles to school) but i know if he were at private school he'd be doing 4 or 5 sports regularly, at least 2 of which would be team sports. Whether or not he'd enjoy them that much, it sets an expectation that you do that level of activity.

mafted · 19/07/2021 08:37

My Dad went to private school and while he played rugby there and enjoyed it he hasn't participated in anything more than chucking a frisbee or ball to children or grandchildren since he left.

All DH's family are state school educated and all play regular sport as adults. As a non sporty person the horror of family cricket has never worn off.

LemonRoses · 19/07/2021 08:47

Certainly public schools expect high participation in sports through to and including sixth form. Does that mean everyone leaves loving sport? Probably not but most are competent with a tennis racquet and there are few fatties leaving sixth form.

Sport is definitely more encouraged from a young age. Not wobbling around a playground throwing a lump of foam, but competitive sport from prep, if not pre-prep. I’d be surprised if someone left a decent prep and public education unable to swim, run cross country, play tennis, and then either lacrosse/ hockey/netball or hockey/cricket/rugby plus opportunity for other sports such as sailing, fencing, squash, polo, shooting, open water swimming, badminton etc.

Oblomov21 · 19/07/2021 08:55

I can't see the correlation. Yes private schools have better facilities. Buy some kids are just not into sports, some are geeky and quiet and studious and not into sports. Some are into sports, clever, good looking, nice, come from good families, have it all.

Our local schools are superb. Many children do dance, ballet, rugby, football, swimming, judo. I know 3 kids who are competing at international level.

It comes down to money and parental input aswell. Parents have to sacrifice time to take their dc to all these activities. Ds1 did football, Ds2 still does. Committing to Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday is hard work. For me, that is!

IsabelGowdie · 19/07/2021 08:58

@LemonRoses

I think this is a good point. If you are not particularly sporty but have been to a private school where sport is embraced and encouraged then you will probably leave being able to swim/ run / play a bit of tennis.

This becomes important when you are an adult because you then may have more confidence in picking up a sport. I know loads of people who were not particularly keen at sport at school but have embraced it as adults and being taught and mastered the basics as a child makes things a lot easier.

I also think at an elite level private school kids have a massive advantage. The proportion of Olympic athletes that went to private school is much greater than the 7per cent (?) of kids who are privately educated.

Oblomov21 · 19/07/2021 08:58

"The main thing about private schools is that they foster a self confidence in both boys and girls that is very noticeable. "

I don't agree with that either. Inner confidence is lacking in teenagers theses days, generally.

I have 6 friends with children at private schools and all have severe anxiety issues.

At my eldest sons school many of his peers are confident. Most are not. Anxiety and self harming goes on a lot. And this is a very loving school with great pastoral support, but it's going on a lot.

Comedycook · 19/07/2021 09:04

I went to private school and hate sport.

Generally though, I see a correlation between income and activity levels.

My dc goes to a state primary but with quite a mixed intake in terms of income levels. The kids from wealthier families are by far more active and sporty. It's things like being able to afford the gear, good quality outdoor clothing, good quality appropriate footwear, two cars so one child can be taken to events whilst the other parent does something else. Roof rack to carry kit. Small tokens of privilege that make it so much easier

MsTSwift · 19/07/2021 09:05

Our kids are at state and we accept that means we need to supplement. They do sport / activities at private clubs and have tutors in areas of weakness. Extra language lessons at primary.

We wouldn’t expect a state funded school to do much beyond the academics and behaviour both of which are excellent at dds school as we picked a house near a very good single sex state. If you want the bells and whistles you need to pay for it either by going private or as you go along.

Brown76 · 19/07/2021 09:06

I did 1 hour per day of sport in primary in the 80s, my kids have 1 hour per week, so it does rely on us to get them into sport ourselves. We pay weekly for them to be in clubs/groups.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 19/07/2021 09:16

Our dds went to a very academic private senior school - neither is sporty as an adult. They were both always keen swimmers but that was down to pre senior experience, nothing to do with school. One still does wild swimming events though, and will swim in the sea even in winter if she gets the chance. 🥶

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