Brighton College and sport

[Lucy230]

My DS has been offered a place a BC (13+). He is academic, and enjoys art and music. However he says he dislikes most sport, particularly team games. (I suspect he’d also take a dim view of dance...)

Does anyone know if BC is a good fit for a non-sporty child? He’s coming from the state system, where there’s been minimal PE/team sports, and no real pressure (or encouragement) to participate...

I have a very similar son (state primary, not remotely sporty, hated team sports at school, never played in teams etc) who goes to a school with a very similar profile to BC. We ummed and aahed about taking the place, and one of our concerns was the sport - not that it's a super sporty school, but all of these types of school do lots of compulsory sport, and we were worried that DS would hate that aspect or be ostracised because of it. In the end we went for it, very much in spite of the sport.

Turns out, the sport has been one of the totally unexpected highlights. Partly because it keeps DS active and healthy (he's the type who would usually be sitting down with a screen/book/musical instrument unless prodded). But also because he really, really enjoys it. Turns out that all the marketing blurb they give you about team spirit and inclusivity and a rounded education is actually true. He loves running around on a Wednesday afternoon with his similarly sportingly-challenged friends, he loves playing matches and going on the minibus and eating lots of sandwiches, and there's really no stigma to being a bit crap - it's perfectly fine to be a kid who's good at maths, or piano, or art instead. Games is honestly one of his favourite bits of the week. He's never going to love rugby, it's true - but even that he tolerates perfectly cheerfully.

I don't know BC well enough to know the culture there - hopefully someone will come along who does - but I just wanted to say, don't discount the possibility that the sport will end up being a blessing rather than a curse.

Thanks for your reply. That’s very reassuring! I hope my son ends up having a similar experience to your DS.

I agree that compulsory school sport/teams can be a positive thing if handled well (especially for a child who tends to prefer the sofa...)

Hi,
I have a son at a BC prep who will be going to the College next year. He's really not sporty at all but I have been so impressed with how sport is handled both at prep and the senior school. There are so many different sports to try, so even the most reluctant can find something they are passionate about that keeps them fit and healthy.
Hope that helps!