The London 2012 Olympic Games resulted in record success for Team GB athletes across a large range of sports. It also brought into sharp focus the high proportion of English competitors who had been educated in independent schools.

To determine whether this was indicative of wider overrepresentation of independent schools in elite sport, Ofsted commissioned external research into the educational background of those who participate in sports at the elite level. There was particular interest  in whether there was a link between the quality of competitive school sport and later sporting success. This research also explored the relative success of independent and state schools in a range of school sports competitions. In addition, they visited 10 independent schools and 35 state schools and collected views of over 500 headteachers and 1,000 young people aged 11–18 on competitive school sport through online surveys. 

The success in competitive sport achieved by some maintained schools and academies shows that it is possible for the state sector to replicate the success seen in the best independent schools. In doing so, schools can reap wider benefits as well as ensure that students’ sporting talent is recognised and nurtured.

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