Is your school holding a sports day this year? For many pupils, it’s a chance to show off sporting skills, have fun with friends and feel the buzz of winning a race. For others it can feel stressful and nerve-racking, especially if you don’t enjoy sports or performing in front of friends and family. School sports days began in the 19th century, when people in Victorian times believed events like the egg and spoon race helped children grow stronger and learn to compete. Today, the national curriculum (a list of learning goals that schools in England must teach) says competing in sport can “build character” and teach values like fairness and respect. However, some people wonder if there’s a better way to achieve this. What do you think? Should schools still have sports days?
Yes – sporty children deserve to shine
Sport is great for your body and mind. As well as building strong muscles and bones it releases natural chemicals in your brain that make you feel happy and calm. Yet a Sport England survey shows fewer than half of children aged seven to 11 achieve the NHS goal of being active for 60 minutes a day. Holding a day dedicated to sports can get more children active. It also brings together pupils, parents and carers to build a strong school community. Parent Lucy Wigley says it gives sporty, competitive children a chance to shine, which “shouldn’t be taken away from them”. Psychologist Dr Amanda Gummer, an expert in how we think and feel, agrees, saying sports day is just as important as other school prize-giving events.
No – it can put children off sport
Research shows that some children find sports days difficult because they worry about not being good enough or don’t like performing in front of people. Teacher Jennie Otter told the TV show Good Morning Britain that sports days “can be cruel”. An unenjoyable sports day could put young people off sports for a long time – research suggests that if you don’t enjoy sports at school, you may be less active when you’re older. Some schools allow parents and carers to watch on sports day but this can make things harder for some children. Spectators were banned from some sports days in London in 2025 because of bad behaviour by parents. This included arguing over rules, shouting and interfering in the sports.