Are parents still standing on the touchline in senior school?

[Fudgeball123]

We have got down to the final 2 possible schools for our DC post preschool. Both DC enjoy sports and like me to watch their matches (work permitting). I also enjoy watching them and when I was a child we lived very close to the school so my Dad would come and watch all the matches (along with another Dad).
Currently DCs are aged 12 and 9 and still expect / hope I will attend all atleast home matches. They usually have one or two school matches a week each and then sometimes also play for a club at weekends.
When choosing the senior school should I take this match watching into account (one school is further than the other) or is this desire to be 'watched' likely to peter out after Year 10?

If you’re talking private school, very much the norm for parents to attend.

My DS is Year 9 and a keen sportsman. Yes, parents still attend matches throughout secondary school. We don't always go to the away matches, but one of us will always try to go when they're playing at home. I think it's always nice to have some support from the touchline. My DS certainly appreciates it.

Sorry I didnt mean pre-school! I meant prep-school so year 9 onwards!

Yes, parents still attend.

For some it peters out, for others it remains important- impossible to tell really! I still go & watch….it’s only a few more years and then it’s over, one of my parents came to watch my matches - they died unexpectedly in my late teens and when I look back I’m so glad they made the effort to support me in that one thing! I also really enjoy watching them have fun - I don’t stand at the side of the pitch and scream and after I wait discreetly whilst they have match tea etc, but I’m there supporting all the same.

Blinkingbatshit I'm sorry you lost your parents so long. It's good you have those fun memories of them. My friend's Dad died not long after we left school and cheering on the side line is how I remember him.

*Blinkingbatshit *typo I meant 'so young' not 'so long'. Apologies

It was very important to my sons, I watched them all the way through senior school and beyond, they are 22 & 23 now and I still watch them do their sports on a weekend, I guess it depends on the child, sports has always been our thing and it’s a huge part of our relationship.

FinallyMrsE this is how I feel. I was just checking I wouldn't be the 'odd one out'!

@Fudgeball123 I don’t think you’ll be the odd one out at all. I’m sure your DC will love you to continue going. Enjoy it.

We watched both our DS's all the way through senior school. Not many other parents came to watch DS1's year group, but we had a great group of parents for DS2's year.

Like @FinallyMrsEwe still watch them - university sport for DS2 this weekend, club sport for DS1 every few weeks in the summer.

I'm going to watch DS play tennis tomorrow with another mum. Boys are 6th formers.

Parents still very much welcomed in my experience. I’ve watched cricket three times in the past eight days- an away match, a midweek match and a home game yesterday. There have been parents from both sides at all three. My DS are in junior teams but it’s the same with the 1stXI, it’s also a social event for parents with cake thrown in. The DC might become less communicative as they get older but they appreciate the support especially if it’s followed by a meal out!

Perhaps also consider the comparison with music - of course parents are still attending concerts and recitals :) Though I appreciate the typical timings are different. (reminder to self - need to go through diary and rearrange some afternoon teaching to facilitate getting through traffic in time on the relevant days ...)

Yes though not all parents can due to work commitments. But I always did, and spent years in the cold and mud watching my kid play rugby outside of school too. He ALWAYS wanted me there (stopped at 16, but if it had continued I'd still do it).
You may find as they move in to their teens that it's one time you share and can talk.

Lots do at all senior schools. Wonderful to see your children having fun, winning and losing! Usually great match teas for parents where you meet other parents and get to few part of a community. It’s a wonderful part of senior school life. my children full board but I go and watch them do various things at least once a week!

I teach in an I dependent school. Loads of parents on the touchline on a weekend. (watching the game with one eye, and keeping the other eye on the Head to see when they can bend his ear about something 😏) And a smaller but significant contingent of travelling fans as well.

I didn't attend after primary (state) nor sixth form (private boarding)

Completely normal at my DCs' schools although the away fixtures could be an awfully long way away so not always practical.Obviously there are more parents watching Saturday matches than mid week.

Both my DS played rugby and we went to every match we could no matter where right up to U6. Great fun and a really important part of their school life and memories to share. (never went to cricket matches though...uurrgh!)

Mine all played rugby and i went all over the country supporting them, along with loads of other parents, all the way through school.
the first XV matches in particular always attracted a good sized crowd