Either you’re one of the sporty ones, or one of the smart ones, right? Not necessarily. You can possess qualities of both. Maybe you excel as one more than the other, sure, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that being physically active helps improve academic success, while those educational accomplishments can also boost your physical, mental and social ones too.

Before we delve in, it’s important to clarify what we mean when we talk about sport and physical activity. Sport is defined as an organised activity, game or competition requiring physical effort and/or skill which meets predefined rules followed by participants and organisers. Examples = hockey or triathlon. Physical activity meanwhile, can be any voluntary bodily movement that uses energy, whether it is organised/rule-based or otherwise. Examples = walking or stretching.

In Issue #44 of our Senior School Newsletter, Mr Whitehead (Director of Sport) introduced this link between sporting participation and academic achievement. So how exactly do the two go hand-in-hand to complement each other? And how might we prioritise keeping young people engaged in physical activities?

In January 2022, the Youth Sport Trust released a research paper on the link. They found that physically active children had higher levels of attainment, attendance and cognitive functioning at school, as opposed to those that were less physically active or disengaged with sport. Specifically, the paper documents how learning physical literacy through organised sport, informal games with friends/family and being active generally, helped in childhood development and readiness for changes and challenges of school life, like transitional periods (i.e. moving between year groups).

The Youth Sport Trust paper also details how the mental and social health benefits of group physical activity encourages greater attendance to school, and aids in concentration, thus enhancing the learning experience. This is because bouts of exercise provide often needed stimulation for young people, lessening the chance for distractions and disinterest in the classroom.

Elsewhere, a study from the University of Sydney published earlier this year delves even deeper, highlighting some differences between individual and team-based sports and their relationship to academic success. It found that team sport participants had better attendance, attention and memory than non-team sport players. Individual sport athletes achieved better overall results academically, in literacy and numeracy especially.

These findings are linked to team sports providing positive social connectivity and accountability, keeping young athletes engaged in activity and their schoolwork. Meanwhile, individual sports and fitness help build resilience, discipline and determination: qualities that carry over to studies.

“I have witnessed the positive effects exercising can have on an individual during periods of high academic stress. The reduction in stress hormones through exercise is extremely beneficial for students as they pursue that harmonious balance between learning and being physically active.” Mr Drummond (Athletic Development Lead, Nottingham High School)

While all this research identifies positive connections between physical activity, sport and academic attainment, it does reveal the importance of retaining young people’s interest and engagement in exercise throughout their education, and beyond. This is due to the typical drop-off in physical activity around Year 10 for many young people. So, how can we keep young people engaged in sport and physical activity, so that they continue to reap the physical, mental, social, and academic rewards?

Here at Nottingham High School, we emphasise the balance between academic excellence and maintaining physical engagement in sport. We provide a comprehensive Co-Curricular programme, as well as a dedicated Games and P.E. curriculum multiple times per week, covering a plethora of sports and physically engaging clubs. This culture of activity for children at the school balances and blends with our academic programmes, complementing each other to provide an outstanding student experience, as we keep all Year Groups engaged with their physical health through sport and other activities.

It is important to note that organised sport, team-based or individual, does not appeal to all young people. Chasing after a ball or moving towards a distant finish line isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. There are plenty of ways to keep active outside of traditional sports, with things like climbing, walking, yoga, dance, a new hobby and much more. At the school, the freedom to chose activities and clubs only increases as children progress through the years.

Besides school support, a key way to stay engaged in sport and physical activity, is to find/maintain something that you enjoy. Think back to the best P.E. or sports sessions you’ve ever had. What elements did you find the most fun? Was it the activity itself? Was it the socialising? Learning a new skill? The feeling of being active and moving your body? Take those enjoyable qualities, and consider how you can replicate them for the future. Just like with academic subject pursuits, we’re probably going to stick with and do best in the areas we enjoy.

Sport and physical activity offer a unique blend of physical, mental and social support. They develop fine and gross motor skills, release positive endorphins into the body to improve mood, and are a fantastic platform to meet people and maintain relationships. These are all elements to our wellbeing. A 2023 Youth Sport Trust report found positive associations between sporting participation and wellbeing (namely how children described their social identity, belonging, life satisfaction, and happiness). Positive wellbeing is what connects physical activity and academic achievement into their complementary relationship.

Nottingham High School’s wellbeing workforce consists of a Physical and a Mental Wellbeing Lead, School Nurse, Physiotherapist, Learning Support Coordinator, Senior Pastoral staff, not to mention all the teaching and support staff. Students receive a network of support to complement their academic and athletic pursuits, which together go hand-in-hand as they navigate through the challenges and triumphs of their educational and personal development.

For more information, please contact samra.bs@nottinghamhigh.co.uk

Mr Bharat Samra

Physical Wellbeing Lead, Nottingham High School