I dropped out of it through lack of opportunity really. When I started secondary school, the league team I played for (which was ran by the deputy head at my Middle School) fell apart. Chess was definitely not on the agenda at my secondary school... they were more interested in deflecting criticism after being featured on a Channel 4 documentary about crap schools!

I did contact the local chess club in the past 18 months, as I fancied entering a local tournament and seeing what I could do... however the regular local tournament no longer exists, and it appears you have to be a registered and 'graded' player to enter any tournaments now.