Prospectus
Matthew Syed Talks to The Downs School 6th Form
Do you need talent to succeed?
Matthew Syed, the award-winning Times columnist and three-time Commonwealth table-tennis champion, was invited by our Head of Sixth Form, Mr Andrew Hartley, to visit The Downs School and address the Sixth Form students about what he believes lies behind individuals who achieve outstanding success.
He and the school worked at short notice because Matthew believed it was important to address the students at the start of the spring term, early on in their preparations for their formal exams which are so important to gaining a university place or gaining employment. He is no stranger himself to academic success as, not only is he a leading sportsman, but also studied independently for ‘A’ levels, gaining a place at Balliol College, Oxford to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics where he was awarded a prizewinning First.
He told the students of his own experience, both in sport and how a deep curiosity led him to start to independently study economics and how that interest had given him the motivation to work hard to achieve entry to university and a first class degree. He argued that talent is not the key element to success, but that hard work and practice is what singles out the successful individual. He cited studies which indicate that focusing on talent can curb improvement, but recognising hard work improves success. The motivation to achieve at the highest level is most likely to come from a passion for a subject or sport and he encouraged all to seek out such interests and follow them. 
Following his formal address he invited questions and Downs School students quizzed him further about talent versus practice and whether his motivation to work hard had ever faltered. Unfortunately questions had to stop as the lesson change bell was heard but some were able to stay for a further informal chat.
Head of sixth Form, Mr Hartley said,
When I read Matthew’s book, Bounce, it seemed to make real sense both in the academic and sporting spheres. Matthew’s arguments were both academic and yet very accessible and having seen him on television I knew what a passionate and engaging speaker he could be. The talk was a great success and he really had the students’ attention. I think many of them realised that his message was one with a huge amount of truth in it.
