Maths and PE have some things in common. Every pupil, in just about every school in the world, is compelled to take part in both from the moment they start school until - usually - the age of 16. That's 11 or more years in most countries. This presumably indicates that these subject areas are regarded as of considerable importance. In most schools the amount of time allocated to both is similar, at somewhere between two and three hours each week. Few schools have more Maths than this, but many schools have significantly more PE and Games.

...

Last Saturday, Exeter played Wasps in the European Champions Cup Quarter Final. It was a game with a lot at stake. With six seconds left at the end of a sensational encounter, chasing a six point deficit, Wasps scored a try. With time elapsed, the conversation attempt from the right hand touchline determined who would win and progress to the semi final. It was as hard an angle as a right footed kicker could face, so the odds probably still favoured Exeter at that stage. The final kick of the game, in circumstances of ultimate drama, was successful. Exeter...

It’s the time of year when Director of Sport positions are being advertised right, left and centre, as schools scramble to appoint before the notice deadline. This is to avoid the unimaginable prospect of starting the Autumn Term with no Director of Sport in place. Presumably, therefore, these people have an impact that schools simply cannot do without. So what is it?

This is a relatively new role in schools. Twenty five years ago, fewer than a handful of schools had a position of this title. Now everyone has one. Many Heads report that this is the most difficult...