Every boy should be actively encouraged to pursue an 'Other Half' timetable that is balanced, physically and mentally absorbing, and demanding. A place should be found in every boy’s weekly 'Other Half' timetable for both sporting and non-sporting activities. No single activity should take up more than four afternoons per week and every boy should be expected to participate in at least two contrasting activities.
There are reasons why this ideal cannot always be achieved; and there may be special cases, involving physical disability, where it cannot be properly applied. These constraints do not invalidate the essential force of the ideal as described above. A full offering of alternatives to sport is important at all levels, especially in years one, two and three, where boys’ attitudes can be permanently affected by a suitable provision of well-run activities.
There may be an argument for the view that the highest competitive standards can only be achieved, in any area, by specialisation and complete commitment. However, over-specialisation should be discouraged, particularly in sport – and we wish to promote a conscious versatility of skill and interest through the 'Other Half' programme at Abingdon School.
The following practicalities are of essential importance:
- No boy should undertake the same main activity in all three terms of the year.
- No one activity, of any sort, should normally take up more than two-thirds of a boy’s extra-curricular time, except where circumstances require a heavy commitment at periods of intense work or preparation.
- It is highly desirable that every boy should undertake a period of service-type activity during his time at Abingdon School.
- All boys must take part in an activity during the course of Wednesday afternoon.
