public schools

Question 1

what was a public school

Answer 1

• Private, fee-paying school
• Exclusive to the upper class + start with, only male
• Sons of the gentry
• e.g. Eton, Rugby, Charterhouse
• Travelled to attend, + high tuition fees

Question 2

what are the 3 stages of public school

Answer 2

• Stage 1: 1790 - 1828
• Stage 2: 1828 - 1842
• Stage 3: 1842 - 1914: ‘cult of athleticism’

Question 3

what is the first stage of public schools

Answer 3

• Stage 1: 1790 - 1828:
• Eton school opened in 1440 - older boys bullies the younger boys through a ‘fagging’ system (older boys ran the school, used the younger boys as ‘slaves’) → brutal conditions for the younger boys
• Boys used natural facilities, played in their free-time (had lots) and adopted games which they played at home
• Boys all brought their own rules which led to the creation of the Eton Wall Game

Question 4

what is the second stage of public schools

Answer 4

• Stage 2: 1828 - 1842:
• Dr Thomas Arnold became headmaster at Rugby school in 1828
• He introduced ‘Social control’ - revised the fagging system using prefects
• He improved relationships between masters and boys → try to get the masters to have more pastoral role
• Muscular christianity became the focus - showed christian values through the endeavour of sport, captains were seen v v highly of, role models
• Developed the curriculum so participation in games was compulsory
• Sports were played more regularly between boarding houses
• Boys became captains, played on school site + games less violent
• Foundations of where the case study sports came e.g. rugby, football, cricket

Question 5

what was the 3rd stage of public schools

Answer 5

• Stage 3: 1842 - 1914: ‘cult of athleticism’
• Compulsory games afternoon with regular intra/inter school fixtures
• Could play other schools due to standardised rules
• Purpose built facilities
• Games played to develop character: leadership, teamwork etc → not to win
• Received ‘colours’ for representing the first team
• Working class were employed as professional coaches (at those schools) to improve skills
• Boys spread games through the church, army, teachers, the people that were part of governing the game (national governing body) (church + army were worldwide)
• Upper class strictly amateur, working class wanted to earn the money

Question 6

what does ATHLETICISM stand for

Answer 6

• Athleticism
• Teamwork - Playing for the house football team
• Health - Regularly doing athletics
• Leadership - Captain of the cricket team
• Endeavour - Trying your best for the football team
• Tactics + strategies - Field positions in cricket
• Integrity (sportsmanship) - Walking in cricket
• Courage - Batting against an older bowler in cricket
• Independence - Boarding life
• Self-realisation - Knowing your best/worst sport
• Muscular christianity - Playing football for the Glory of God