In most subjects, there is no disconnect between the educational and business purpose of an independent school. Good exam results are good for business. Full stop. This might lead to accusations of teaching to the test, in “exam factories”, but parents and schools find rare and easy agreement here. Good grades are the right outcome, and everyone aspires to the same thing. When exam results are published every summer, each school seeks a new way of measuring the to claim another record. High grades correlate with high happiness - across the board. Results mean reputation. For the avoidance of...

The last twenty years has seen an astronomical increase in the standard of the top level of school sport in UK. The increased allocation of resources – time, facilities, specialist coaching, levels of competition – has developed out of all recognition. Top level performance, and victory in an ever increasing number of high profile competitions has become more important. The result is a fierce contest for the services of the best players and the emergence of increasingly demanding programmes of preparation.

This process – the ‘academisation” of school sport – has unquestionably raised the standard of the best performers...

The class 1500m “race”. It has probably happened in most year groups, in most schools, at some time over the last ten weeks. Often on the day when the weather is too inclement to safely attempt field events. To what purpose?

Running nearly four times round an undulating grass track is an unlikely stimulant for a “Road to Damascus” moment to inspire a lifelong love of running. Far more probable is the reinforced conviction that running is a pointlessly painful pursuit – guaranteed to bring humiliation to those at the back.

Most schools have a significant number of...