Inspired by the Values
Why Get Set?
Isebrook SEN College (Northamptonshire, East Midlands) realised that London 2012 was a rare opportunity for students and the community to experience the Olympic and Paralympic Games live and up close.
With their own core values closely mirroring the Olympic and Paralympic Values, this was a chance for Isebrook students to understand more deeply why they had these values at the college and why they are used for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Journey So Far
The Values have been promoted in assemblies and in PE, making use of Get Set posters and highlighting links to Isebrook’s own values.
Students play in SEN football and basketball leagues while girls’ football and basketball teams have been established too. With the help of Kettering Town Harriers Athletics Club, SEN schools from around the county are taking part in a one day event competing against one other in jumping, throwing and running.
Isebrook has been involved in setting up a Kettering Town FC Multi-Disability Football Club. Kettering Town coaches are leading sessions to help students improve skills and join the club. At a launch event held at the club ground, students will meet the manager and players, get free tickets to a game and take part in a half-time penalty shoot out.
A Core Value Week will involve students trying a range of activities including dance, mountain biking and mosaic making. Students will even set up a mini Olympics for local primary school children.
Many different aspects of the Games will be covered at an Olympic and Paralympic day where students will be learning about different countries taking part, the training regimes and diets of athletes, and the history of the Games.
Positive Values
Discussion of the Olympic and Paralympics Values in assemblies and PE has helped students to understand similarities to Isebrook’s own values. Having the values gives students a focus which helps them with their behaviour towards each other and in motivating them to engage in learning.
And the highlights for students?
Students are inspired by both disabled and able bodied people working hard and becoming the best in the world. Having the chance to go to the Games is also very important to students.
- “Something to watch in the summer on T.V.”
- “Affordable to normal people in this country”
- “I can’t believe such a massive event is being held in England”
- “Bring it on.”
Towards 2012
A measure of success is that students who would not normally engage with sport will be interested enough to watch London 2012 on TV and maybe have the chance of tickets. Through learning about the Values, and even attending the Games in some cases, students are being made to feel part of a once in a life time event.
Isebrook is determined that everyone at the college will realise what a big event it is and how lucky we are to have it held in our country.
