As a former PE teacher and now Headmaster, I found the article (“ Schools drop rugby for yoga and circus skills”, October 15, 2009), highlighting the decline of competitive sports in schools, to be of great interest.

As an educationalist, I can understand why schools feel compelled to offer a wide range of activities. The development of physical stamina and skills through any medium is as important in childhood as any other curriculum area.  What I cannot understand is why any PE teacher would opt to do so as a first choice. To supplement the curriculum, these activities have major plus points, but as a mainstay?

(To read the whole article please click on PDF below.)