Engaging parents in their children’s learning
Why Get Set?
Being in a rural area focusing on London 2012 meant the chance to open up a wider world for children at Allendale First School (Northumberland, North East). With the Olympic and Paralympic Games as a theme and using Get Set resources children would be able to find out about other cultures and countries along with exploring their own culture and Olympic traditions.
This was also an opportunity to offer children an even greater range of sporting opportunities and to engage parents in their children’s learning.
The Journey So Far
A series of ‘fun family’ events have kept parents busy; keep fit sessions and family yoga have involved parents participating in sessions with their children. Parents have also take part in Walk to School Week by walking children down tracks to meet the bus, doing extra walking after school and helping their children keep walking diaries. Further parental involvement has included:
- Taking part in their own sports day races
- Family social events with parents and children playing sports such as cricket and football
- Running extracurricular sports clubs.
As part of an annual health week, coaches are invited into school to lead taster sports sessions and depending on the coach and content, parents may be invited to these. Children keep a diary of sporting activity they have done in school that week and any further exercise out of school is added to the diary.
A specially written musical show for 2012 is being based around the theme of the Olympic Games and Values. Parents will be asked to provide Olympic memories, maybe even including photos or memorabilia from previous Games. A special display will be created in the hall and used as a resource when children are learning about the history of the Games.
Positive Values
The Values have formed the focus of PHSE work throughout school as they are qualities Allendale would like to instil in all its children. The Olympic and Paralympic Values help to form the focus of how Allendale aspires for children to relate to each other and the wider community.
And the highlights for students?
Inspiration comes from the diverse range of sports included in the Games, learning about the athletes and understanding what personal qualities they have. Mini sporting tournaments in school are helping children appreciate the global nature of sport.
Towards 2012
Whole units of work are planned around the Olympic theme, the significance of the Games is being promoted on the school website and children are being offered coaching in a range of sports. Parents and extended family members will continue to be invited to participate in family fitness activities.
Wanting to leave a London 2012 legacy in its locality, Allendale aims for a greater understanding of the global nature of sport, for increased enthusiasm and participation in a range of sports and to nurture rounded individuals by incorporating the Values into school life.
