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The Big Debate
Should Schools Have Sports Days?
Vocabulary
Key words from the article — check these before you start answering.
campaignAn organised effort by a group of people to achieve a particular goal, often to raise awareness of an issue.
pollA survey of people's opinions on a subject, used to find out what most people think.
national curriculumThe official list of subjects and learning goals that schools in England are required to teach.
psychologistA scientist who studies the human mind and how people think, feel and behave.
spectatorA person who watches an event, such as a sports day, without taking part.
objectivelyIn a way that is fair and based on facts, without being influenced by personal feelings or opinions.
Section 1: What You Need to Know
Answer using evidence from the article. Use full sentences where possible.
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1When does National School Sports Week begin, and which charity organises it?(2 marks)
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2According to the poll mentioned in the article, what percentage of UK primary schools hold sports days?(1 mark)
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3When did school sports days begin, and what did people in Victorian times believe events like the egg and spoon race helped children do?(2 marks)
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4According to the national curriculum, what can competing in sport "build", and what values can it teach?(2 marks)
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5Why were spectators banned from some sports days in London in 2025?(2 marks)
Section Total: _____ / 9
Section 2: The Debate
Look closely at both sides of the argument and weigh up the evidence.
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6According to a Sport England survey, what fraction of seven- to eleven-year-olds achieve the NHS goal of being active for 60 minutes a day?(1 mark)
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7Why does parent Lucy Wigley believe sports days shouldn't be taken away from sporty, competitive children?(2 marks)
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8What did teacher Jennie Otter say about sports days on the TV show Good Morning Britain?(1 mark)
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9According to the "No" side, what might happen later in life to children who don't enjoy sport at school?(2 marks)
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10Look at the three YES reasons and three NO reasons in the article. Which single argument do you find most convincing, and why?(3 marks)
Section Total: _____ / 9
Section 3: Writer's Corner
Think about the choices the writer has made and why they have made them.
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11The article says its aim is "to present two sides of an issue fairly and objectively." Find one piece of evidence from the YES side and one from the NO side that show the writer has tried to stay balanced.(3 marks)
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12Why do you think the writer includes quotes from real people — such as Lucy Wigley, Dr Amanda Gummer and Jennie Otter — rather than just stating opinions as fact?(2 marks)
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13The article ends with the results of last week's poll shown as a pie chart. What does this chart show, and why might the magazine choose to include it?(2 marks)
Section Total: _____ / 7
Section 4: Your Turn
Join the Debate — 20 minutes
The article asks: Should schools have sports days? Now it's your turn to answer.
You might think about:
- Your own experience of sports days — did you enjoy them, or find them stressful? Why?
- Which of the YES or NO arguments from the article you find most convincing, and why.
- Whether there's a middle ground — could schools change sports days to solve some of the problems raised?
Try to use connectives like "however", "on the other hand" and "in addition" to link your ideas, just like the writer does in the article.