Sir Peter Lampl comments on the number of state educated pupils who compete at the Olympics in an op-ed for The Times.

We know that law, medicine and finance remain the preserve of the alumni of independent schools. Now we learn that this extends to sport too: 28 per cent of those competing in the Olympics as part of Team GB were privately educated, yet only 7 per cent of children attend independent schools. Worryingly this trend is exacerbated when it comes to female athletes.

So why is this the case? It can be explained in part by the focus on sport at many independent schools: their pupils are more likely to benefit from ample time set aside for sport, state-of-the-art facilities and highly qualified coaches.

It’s also because independent schools enable their pupils to develop essential life skills that give them a competitive edge, not just in sport but in professional life.

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Read the full article here. (£)