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ndependent schools made a signifi cant contribution to Britain’s success at the London 2012 Olympics – comprising
around 17% of Team GB participants, according to research published by sports education specialist Dr Malcolm Tozer. The proportion of medals netted by this particular group was also remarkably high: over 41% of Team GB’s medallists had benefi ted from a private education. Intriguingly, Tozer’s
research determines a roughly similar level of representation between day and boarding schools, irrespective of their varied provision. Perhaps one key differentiator, which isn’t necessarily dependent on material superiority, is a culture which fosters a winning mentality. According to a 2014 OFSTED report, titled Excellence in Competitive School Sport, such a perspective can help sow the seeds of future successes, and could improve the performance of state educators. Millfi eld School, a day and boarding
school located in Somerset, is associated with innumerable sporting triumphs. It was the most represented school at the London 2012 Olympics, and sustained its winning streak throughout the 2014 Commonwealth Games. One of its policies has been to appoint experienced staff with elite experience – including David Faulkner, Millfi eld’s current Director of Sport, an Olympic gold medallist and former Performance Director for England and Great Britain Hockey. “Sport is one of the key facets of the school’s reputation,” says David. “Our approach to sport is highly focus to each individual’s strengths: it is also aligned with the requirements of national governing bodies, and designed to ensure that, in all cases, the experience is a positive one”. Asked whether Millfi eld’s
boarders are granted any more opportunities than day pupils, David feels that, although they may have some additional access to facilities during early and late periods, the delivery of the school’s sporting programme remains identical across the student body. “I don’t think there is necessarily an advantage, although the boarding experience obviously differs,” he says. Moreover, the latter arrangement is not necessarily preferred. “Some families have actually moved into the area, just so their children can attend the school as day pupils.” Other senior fi gures concur that boarding does not necessarily
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equate with competitive advantage. Taunton School, another Somerset independent day and boarding school,
includes several famous cricketers, including Jack White and John Jameson, among its former pupils. According to Hayley Mortimer, the school’s Director of Sport, Head of PE and a former national netball player and regional coach, admitting boarders does help the school to “give more choice”. Fitness suites are open for boarders
during evenings, increasing training opportunities for athletes, although day pupils frequently exploit this access too. Such resources help them, says Mortimer,
“to gain a greater independence in their own training programmes. This can be both a positive and negative factor, but this is part of the ownership and development every athlete or performer undertakes.” Taunton’s recent successes include
Thomas Abell, Wisden Schools Cricketer of the year 2012, and Sophie Bowden, winner of the USA’s NCAA Hockey Championships as part of the University of Connecticut Team. Bowden was supported by the school in fi nding a 100% scholarship to the US, valued at $250,000. The school hopes to make these opportunities available to more youngsters through the recent launch of its ‘Sporting Excellence’ programme.
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