Sports Day research presented at student conference

Tanya Sharples, who is studying for a BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies, presented an overview of her research dissertation at the University’s undergraduate SURE (Showcase of Undergraduate Research Experience) conference. 

The purpose of the research was to discover if there are any potential negative impacts from taking part in compulsory Physical Education (PE) and Sports Days, considering the emotional impact this can have on children, by listening to the experiences of both adult and child participants. 

Tanya used mixed methods, adult interviews, child-friendly questionnaires and child-focus group activities to carry out her research.  

The primary data discovered three themes of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Sports Day and Pupil Choice, the focus of this project turned more towards Sports Day as 31% of the children that participated in the research advised that Sports Day made them feel nervous, anxious or stressed. Other findings considered inclusivity and adaptability for some children. 

The findings changed the project's direction as initially it was a study to investigate how children felt about compulsory PE lessons and if being told to participate was detrimental to some children. However, once the literature review began it became apparent that there is very little research looking into the potential negative impacts of PE and Sports Day, showing there is a significant gap in this research, that this project aimed to begin to fill.  

The research findings showed there is a basis for more specific research, paying special attention to the competitive element of Sports Day and the attendance of parents. A significant number of children and adult participants stated they felt parental pressure was something they struggled with and would prefer to rethink the structure and have parents get involved by participating in all the sports with their children, leading Sports Day to be a celebration of all children by removing the competitive element.  

 Tanya said: “I thoroughly enjoyed conducting my research and speaking to a varied selection of participants gave me a particular interest in pupil voice and making sure that children are heard, alongside this, the study provided a greater understanding of the potential negative impacts of sports day whilst providing a basis for further research in the future.” 

Ruth Proctor and Dr Helen Eadon-Sinkinson, Tanya’s Programme Leaders and Hannah Perkins, SURE Co-ordinator were impressed with the quality of Tanya’s work. 

Dr Paula Hamilton, Programme Leader, MA Education, Society and Globalisation and Tanya’s undergraduate supervisor, said: “I am delighted that Tanya was invited to share an overview of her undergraduate dissertation at the SURE conference. Tanya noticed a gap in the literature available regarding how sports and sports day might negatively impact some children. She has collected some extremely rich primary data and shown significant ability in undertaking research within the field of primary education. I am really pleased that she has decided to progress to MA study.”