School sport participation can promote life skills in children and youth, but teachers could use an explicit teaching approach to fulfil the potential. Therefore, we conducted a participatory teacher development program, which should promote students' life skills through school sport at three Danish boarding schools. The aim of this study is to present the program and the teachers' experiences with the explicit teaching approach and the development program itself. The study design is based on participatory action research and comprised four phases in which the teachers were involved in the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of a life skills course for their students. The evaluation was based on focus group interviews with the teachers involved. The teachers found it beneficial to work explicitly with life skills in school sport and stated that the program provided an opportunity to view their practice from a different perspective. Furthermore, they emphasized that school sport could readily be structured in ways that increase the student's development of life skills. At the same time, the teachers found the explicit teaching strategies challenging due to priority of time and difficulties connecting the sports practice to other life contexts. Finally, the teachers experienced positive and engaged students who most likely increased their understanding of life skills.

Artiklens formål er at give et styrket indblik i, hvad idrætsefterskoleelever oplever som det særlige ved et efterskoleophold. Formålet er også at komme nærmere på, hvilken rolle idræt spiller i skabelsen af det særlige ved et efterskoleophold. I artiklen er der fokus på den idrætslige praksis i den boldsspilsrelaterede linjefagsundervisning og fællesgymnastik. Artiklen bygger på resultater fra Forskningsinitiativet for Idrætsefterskoler, som er et samarbejde mellem FIIBL og tre idrætsefterskoler. I artiklen gennemføres en tværgående analyse af en spørgeskemaundersøgelse med fundene fra seks kvalitative kandidatspecialer fra Idræt og Sundhedsuddannelserne på SDU.

Background This paper outlines a mixed methods research study conducted at three independent boarding schools (a uniquely Danish type of residential setting for young people between the ages of 14 to 18) that all focus on sport and physical activity. In total independent boarding schools attracts more than 30.000 students per year, which makes it a very popular choice for young people. Interestingly, this particular type of schools have not been researched much. This study aims to provide an insight into the special qualities of Danish independent boarding schools and explore how a focus on sport and physical activity in relation to personal development of young people plays a role at three of these schools. Methods The analyses are based on an online survey distributed to 1020 students at the participating schools in March 2019. In total, 865 students answered the survey. The purpose of the survey was to collect quantitative data on background issues, the students' motives for choosing independent boarding school life and to gain an insight into what the students' perceived as the special qualities of living on such a school - typically for one year. The quantitative findings are enriched by empirical findings and conclusions from qualitative data generated via six MSc theses. Results The survey results show that students to a great extent choose an independent boarding school based on the sports program (73%), facilities (69%) and sport performance levels (51%). The students point out getting new friends (92%), being a part of a community (92%), learning to collaborate (91%) and solving conflicts (88%) as some of the special qualities of life at independent boarding schools. The qualitative analyses reveals that sense of community, social interaction with fellow students and the relationship between teachers and students are perceived as the main qualities of this type of school life. Furthermore, the analyses points out that sport and physical activity can both hinder and promote qualities as the ones mentioned. Conclusion The study contributes to new and important insights into a popular and unique type of school in Denmark, but more research is undoubtedly needed.

Background Independent boarding schools are a unique Danish type of residential setting for young people between the ages of 14 to 18. Distinguishing independent boarding schools from Danish public schools is, the independent boarding schools' distinct obligation to promote the ‘personal development' of the students. Approximately half of the 242 Danish independent boarding schools have an explicit focus on sport and physical activity (PA). Thus, it is interesting to investigate if sports-based independent boarding schools offer an arena with particularly good opportunities to work with the personal development of young people? Methods In March 2019 a survey was distributed to 1020 students at three participating sports-based independent boarding schools. This survey has since been developed further and in March 2022, it will be distributed nationwide to approximately 120 schools, with the scope of reaching approximately 18.000 students. To gain insights in regard to the aim of the study, the survey will collect quantitative data on sociodemographics of the students, motives for choosing independent boarding school life, the students' perception of the pedagogical practice in sports and PA lessons, the students' perceived personal development, and the students' well-being. Results and conclusion The study will take place in March 2022 and thus data and conclusions will be presented at the conference.