Raising aspirations through sport
Why Get Set?
Dyke House College (Hartlepool, North East) was keen to use the inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to raise aspirations in their school community and beyond.
Already hosting the School Sports Partnership in Hartlepool, Dyke House wanted to involve other schools and colleges in activities, feeling that successful initiatives introduced at college level as part of Get Set could extend through the partnership.
Proud of raising academic achievement, Dyke House wanted to continue successes for their pupils and their community by engaging fully with the Get Set network.
The Journey So Far
‘Ready, Steady, Walk!’ was a chance for students to help design a pack of resources for the Sports Development Council aimed at Hartlepool’s primary schools. Children from local cluster schools have also had the chance to visit Dyke House for a sports taster day.
The 1948 London Olympics torch came to the college and helped inspire Dyke House’s own torch relay involving feeder schools. Students had the opportunity to design their own torch and students even provided a ‘police escort’!
Students have worked hard to gain qualifications for coaching and officiating. A Young Ambassador Team have been fantastic role models by:
- Producing a professional display of photos based on the Values
- Presenting medals and certificates and delivering assemblies
- Speaking at a teacher conference.
Dyke House welcomed other schools, the Get Set team and MP Ian Wright for a BP Challenge Enterprise event, Dyke House students managing to win a visit from an Olympic Athlete.
Some students even had the chance to visit the Olympic Park getting a sneak preview of some of the venues including the velodrome and the main athletics stadium.
Positive Values
Olympic and Paralympic Values are being embedded into the college’s behaviour plan. Reward structures promoting respect and equality are built into a college ethos which is actively valuing student voice.
Dyke House feels the Values have been powerful when engaging with primary schools, and have provided a great focus with which to inspire younger students.
And the highlights for students?
Visiting the Olympic site had a huge impact on students who were astonished at the size of the project, seemed genuinely excited about London 2012 and were said it was the best trip they had ever been on.
Sport and Technology links in particular have been bringing the Games to life for students, inspiring them through the realisation that they can be part of a global sporting and cultural event.
Towards 2012
Year on year Dyke House College wants more students to have the opportunity to experience the excitement and inspiration of a visit to the Olympic Park.
An ultimate measure of success would be increasing attainment while building on the social and emotional strength of the college community.
Although a significant distance from London, Dyke House believes they can play a part in the excitement and opportunities stemming from the Olympic and Paralympic Games as a legacy to the communities within Hartlepool.
