A Place for Competition

There is a renewed emphasis on the value of competitive sport in schools, with a new national schools' competition framework, and the appointment of a network of competition managers across the country.

Both are designed to help schools nurture talented young athletes, but also to ensure that all students have opportunities to learn vital life skills from participating in competitive sport.

Some students will gain a great deal simply by playing competitively during a PE lesson, while others - like Year 12 hockey player Alicia - aspire to compete at the Olympics. Consequently, competition needs to take many forms, and it must be appropriate, integrated and inclusive.

The Manor School in Mansfield, King Edward VII School in King's Lynn and Dorothy Stringer School in Brighton show how they are ensuring all their students benefit from competing, whatever their abilities and aspirations.