Embracing London 2012 through PE and more
Why Get Set?
Kirk Hallam Community Technology and Sports College (Derbyshire, East Midlands) wanted to build on what had already been achieved particularly by its Young Ambassadors, Top Link students and the PE department. The Olympic and Paralympic Values were being actively promoted through a diversity week, assemblies and displays.
Having received Sports College status, the PE department aimed to promote the 10 ‘High Quality Outcomes’ for physical education and raise awareness of London 2012 using Get Set involvement to help them move forward.
The journey so far
Young Ambassadors have led assemblies for younger students based on the Olympic and Paralympic Values using the London 2012 promotional video and resources off of Get Set to help them deliver these. The Young Ambassadors have also worked with pupils at partner primary schools to create a values flag and an Olympic Oath to use at a Year 4 mini Games festival.
The College then linked up with a Vancouver school in the build up to the 2010 Winter Games with students making pen pals! Having the chance to send questions to athletes was as exciting moment for Student Council members as they watched a live Paralympian webcast during a Canadian themed evening at Kirk Hallam.
As part of a diversity week held at the school, students thought about the Values during their PE lessons and created posters based on these. The PE department selected winning posters to use as the basis for an eye-catching display outlining the Values.
Students were taken off timetable for the day to take part in a series of themed workshops during Kirk Hallam’s Enterprise of London 2012 day and were given opportunities to be involved in:
- designing and making the Olympic stadium based on ‘English heritage’;
- designing and advertising a new product which was to be sold during London 2012;
- working out the cost implications of the Games; and
- practical sessions with sports science equipment in the gym.
Positive Values
There were definite successes from the Enterprise of London 2012 day, with students demonstrating the Values and really building on their knowledge. The day involved activities covering many areas of the national curriculum including citizenship, technology, maths, English and expressive arts. The students really enjoyed it.
A staff working group has been established to get every faculty in the college working on the Values in their lessons and during extra-curricular activities. A member of the senior management team attends each meeting and the focus group is currently working on a ‘London 2012 Get Set week’ which is going to take place in the new year.
And the highlights for students?
Students have loved listening to stories about Olympians and Paralympians showing how they overcame adversity. The idea of anything being possible has appeared to be hugely inspiring for students.
Getting involved in Get Set is already involving students in PE activities and is specifically engaging students who hadn’t previously been taking part in clubs.
Towards 2012
An ultimate measure of success would be that the College has fully embraced London 2012 with every student and member of staff being aware of what the Values are all about.
The next step in this will be taking the Values and trying to apply them to everyday school life. With this in mind Kirk Hallam Community Technology and Sports College has started linking the Values to their system of sanctions and rewards.
Building on initial successes, the college aims for students to experience further days with London 2012 as the theme and continue the great work being done with local primaries.
