Former comprehensive school pupils lead GB medal haul in Rio

Former comprehensive school pupils out performed their privately educated peers to lead the record setting Team GB medal haul at the Rio Olympics.

Research conducted by the Sutton Trust shows that 60 per cent of this year’s British medalists went to comprehensive schools, including Laura Trott and Mo Farah, compared to 32 per cent who attended fee-paying schools and eight per cent who went to grammar schools.

10 out of the 13 athletes to win more than one medal were comprehensively educated, including Britain’s most successful Olympian Jason Kenny.

Kenny’s medal-winning cycling teammates were also largely state educated, with 92 per cent attending either a comprehensive or grammar school.

However, the Sutton Trust’s analysis does still show that some sports are still dominated by privately educated athletes, with 52 per cent of medal winning rowers attending fee-paying schools, along with 50 per cent of the women’s hockey team. Additionally, a Etonian has won a medal in either rowing or an equestrian sport every year since 1992.

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust, said: “The success of Team GB in Rio has been a national triumph. It’s been fantastic to see a growing number of our national heroes coming from comprehensive and other state schools.

“But alumni of private schools are still over-represented among our medalists. Although some state schools have improved support for competitive sport over the last decade, they’re still more likely to benefit from ample time set aside for sport, excellent sporting facilities and highly qualified coaches.”