End of school sports day?
Half of London's schools are not hosting a competitive sports day this year.
An Evening Standard survey reveals the decline of an event that was once a fixture in every school's calendar.
Elsa Davies, director of the National Playing Fields Association, said the results from a straw poll of more than 60 secondary schools showed children were being denied an important part of their education.
"Competitive sport teaches you essential life skills. And the idea of having a competitive day would at least put the idea of sport into a child's mind - from there the seed is planted and is allowed to grow," she said.
"Sport is essential to a child's health as it teaches you discipline. You are taught to enjoy success. When you go out into the real world you have to deal with other people, work within groups or even be a team leader.
"Children have boundless energy. We just want them to put that good talent to good use on playing fields where they are safe, and nowhere else."
For the survey, schools located in the middle of the secondary school league tables were selected from each London borough. Those chosen were a mix of church and non-faith schools.
Of the 60 schools surveyed we found:
- Only half organised a competitive sports day.
- Twenty-four had a non-competitive "fun day" which usually involved both staff and pupils.
At Bexley Secondary School, headmaster Malcolm Noble said pupils took part in a three-week competitive sports period to promote sports such as athletics.
"Competition among all of our 2,500 pupils is encouraged. We believe sports competitions are just as important as maths and English. When one of our children leaves school they must be prepared for the outside world, which is increasingly competitive.
"You need to be able to get on with the people too, and sport is a very good way to ingratiate children into this way of thinking."
Joan Barnes, headteacher at the Hackney Free, said their annual event was a "bit of fun". She said: "Our sports days involve egg and spoon races. Everyone gets involved, pupils and staff, and lets their hair down.
"It's not that we don't believe in competition at this school - but after the stress and strain of exams in the summer we feel this is the best way for our pupils and staff to wind down.
"Of course we don't encourage our children to become couch potatoes. We just feel that a fun day is the best way to de-stress."
The findings come as medical experts warn that British children are unhealthier than ever. Dr Vivienne Nathanson, of the British Medical Association, said: "Obesity is becoming one of the greatest threats to child health. It is not just the responsibility of individuals, but of society as a whole."
