Historical Issues in PE 19 th Century Public Schools

Athleticism in 19 Century Public Schools An English Public School – an endowed place of education of old standing to which the sons of gentlemen resort in considerable numbers and where they reside from eight or nine to eighteen years of age. An English Public School – an endowed place of education of old standing to which the sons of gentlemen resort in considerable numbers and where they reside from eight or nine to eighteen years of age.

Public Schools Endowed – regular income Endowed – regular income Boarding Boarding Fee paying Fee paying Spartan – living standards were poor and young children were treated violently by teachers and prefects. Spartan – living standards were poor and young children were treated violently by teachers and prefects. Non local – high status schools attracted pupils from wide radius. Non local – high status schools attracted pupils from wide radius. Controlled by trustees – not owned privately. Controlled by trustees – not owned privately. Boys and gentlemen – elitist system. Boys and gentlemen – elitist system.

Types of Public Schools Clarendon Schools – 9 exclusive boy’s schools. Clarendon Schools – 9 exclusive boy’s schools. Ladies Academies – finishing schools for daughters of the gentry. Ladies Academies – finishing schools for daughters of the gentry. Proprietary colleges – middle class copies of the gentry schools, examples, Cheltenham College and Malvern College. Proprietary colleges – middle class copies of the gentry schools, examples, Cheltenham College and Malvern College. Denominated Schools – Cathedral schools to educate sons and daughters of the clergy, examples include, York, Worcester and Canterbury. Denominated Schools – Cathedral schools to educate sons and daughters of the clergy, examples include, York, Worcester and Canterbury. Endowed Grammar Schools – free grammar schools, examples include, King Edwards Birmingham. Endowed Grammar Schools – free grammar schools, examples include, King Edwards Birmingham.

Stage One: Schoolboys and Popular Recreation. The transfer from popular recreation to the public school. The transfer from popular recreation to the public school. Activities such as – mob games, court games, cricket and blood sports. Activities such as – mob games, court games, cricket and blood sports. Characteristics – violent, rural, local, ritual and uncoded. Characteristics – violent, rural, local, ritual and uncoded. Public Schools – boy culture, institutionalised. Public Schools – boy culture, institutionalised.

Problems and Key Features. Drinking and gambling. Drinking and gambling. Behaviour in town and other schools. Behaviour in town and other schools. Boys brought games into schools and were responsible for organising games and rules. Boys brought games into schools and were responsible for organising games and rules. Facilities available determined the development of the game, for example, the Quad at Charterhouse and the Close at Rugby School. Facilities available determined the development of the game, for example, the Quad at Charterhouse and the Close at Rugby School.

Stage 2 – Arnoldian influence and the role of Christian gentleman. Godliness and manliness. Godliness and manliness. Educational Reform and Sixth form culture. Educational Reform and Sixth form culture. Expansion and house system Expansion and house system Specific sports – sports days, football, cricket, tennis, bathing, rowing, gym and limited field sports and bullying. Specific sports – sports days, football, cricket, tennis, bathing, rowing, gym and limited field sports and bullying. Regular competition. Regular competition. Written Codes. Written Codes. Special Facilities. Special Facilities. Headmasters encouragement. Headmasters encouragement.

Stage 3 – Athleticism and the Corinthian Spirit. Physical endeavour Physical endeavour Moral integrity Moral integrity Gentry and middle class mix Gentry and middle class mix Girls Girls The church The church Compulsory activities – gym/drill, swimming, athletics, cricket, football, rackets, football, rowing, martial combats and field sports. Compulsory activities – gym/drill, swimming, athletics, cricket, football, rackets, football, rowing, martial combats and field sports. Full staff involvement, public school championships, time space and expertise. Full staff involvement, public school championships, time space and expertise.

Social Control through Physical Activity in the Public Schools. The most significant feature was the belief that school sport was not only a vehicle for for personal development, but the essence of education itself, representing a model lifestyle. The most significant feature was the belief that school sport was not only a vehicle for for personal development, but the essence of education itself, representing a model lifestyle. It consisted of a fundamental link being made between manliness and godliness in what has been called muscular Christianity – an educational experience involving physical endeavour and moral integrity. It consisted of a fundamental link being made between manliness and godliness in what has been called muscular Christianity – an educational experience involving physical endeavour and moral integrity.