In the last academic year, St Peter’s Prep was involved in 440 sports fixtures, an increase on the previous year. This provides every pupil with the experience and opportunity of playing competitive sport during their time with us. We have also produced an activity programme, allowing children to explore more specialist sports and outdoor education, meaning that our pupils can try and experiment until they find an extra-curricular activity that works for them. Below, we explore the many benefits of sports and games to children of all ages, and how it can improve their relationship with a healthy lifestyle in later life.
What are Sports Good for?
First of all, sports are great for developing a pupil’s character and moral principles through fair play; this is evident in any sport or activity they take part in at school. The importance of teamwork and working together with peers and teammates is a life skill that will stay with them for all their future endeavours, and their involvement teaches vital lessons about team spirit.
Life Lessons in Failure and Motivation
Children who play competitive sport at St Peter’s Prep learn to win with class and lose with dignity, preparing them for whatever life might throw at them in years to come. Often, pupils will learn from their failures and use it as motivation to work even harder next time, which is a valuable life lesson in itself.
Making Friends
Secondly, engaging in sporting activities at St Peter’s Prep gives children the opportunity to interact with other children, who they may not have met had they not participated in the sports or games. The fact that these individuals are interested in the same sports means they are likely to share similar interests, creating a solid framework for years of friendship in the future. Alternatively, sport brings people from all walks of life together, and any pre-existing stereotypes are left off the playing field.
A Good Learning Environment
Thirdly, a sporting context is a key learning environment for children, as they learn to respect authority, rules, teammates and opponents. It is this appreciation for rules and regulations that helps to shape their future acknowledgement of working environments, enabling a smooth transition into the different styles of a workplace.
Improve Concentration
Engaging in sports and games helps to improve concentration, and multiple studies demonstrate that even short spans of physical activity can increase the duration and intensity of concentration. If your child finds it difficult to stay focused while completing homework, why not postpone it until after a swimming lesson or a kick around at the park with friends? It is likely to lead to a better result.
Health and Wellbeing
Pupil health and wellbeing is of paramount importance at St Peter’s, and a healthy relationship with sports helps them to manage their emotions. Not only does participation in sports and games build positive self-esteem in pupils, but it can also contribute to reducing stress and increasing feelings of both physical and mental well-being.
Finally, here at St Peter’s Prep, we have the facilities available to give pupils the best chance of flourishing at a sport or game, which sets them up to receive a scholarship in later schools, colleges or universities. Future establishments understand the importance of dedication and how talented individuals can be a credit to the school.
St Peter’s Prep has a 28-acre site including a heated outdoor swimming pool, sports hall, squash court, AstroTurf and numerous rugby, football and cricket pitches. We are one of the leading private schools, Devon when it comes to sport and have been recognised as a centre of excellence and awarded Academy status for its squash.
Here at St Peter’s Prep, we are known for our strength in sports and pride ourselves on distinguished achievement. Pupils often play at county level after being introduced to the sport at school, and both boys and girls have performed excellently in local and national fixtures. If you have any questions about your child’s participation in sport or would like to discuss any of the sporting opportunities available at St Peter’s, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us today.
