Putting the Values at the heart of their ethos
Why Get Set?
Malbank (East Cheshire, North West) has worked hard to ensure that the Olympic and Paralympic Values are an integrated part of their pupils’ experience at school. The current ethos of ‘Shared Expectations’ designed by students, staff and governors sits comfortably with the Olympic and Paralympic Values.
With its very own Olympic and Paralympic Committee already in place, Malbank wanted to raise the profile of the Values. Get Set membership meant greater opportunities for being part of the build up to London 2012.
As a Performing Arts Specialist College, they aimed to build the link between sport and performing, showing students that all areas of Performing Arts show and require the same skills and determination needed for Olympic and Paralympic sports.
The Journey So Far
Through an exciting ICT-based ‘On Your Marks’ project students researched British heroes past and present and had opportunities to:
- create databases;
- design advertising materials for London 2012; and
- make comic book guides for young children with added voice-over narration in English and a foreign language!
Year 11’s film, ‘Jumping hurdles, removing barriers . . . being inspired!’ highlighted links between performing and the Values and led to the opportunity of visiting the Olympic and Paralympic Village.
An enrichment day was held to inspire all year 11 students before their exams, with students producing a graffiti board of their aspirations and life mottos for display in the examinations hall. The self- esteem and team spirit generated, played a part in the school achieving its best ever exam results this summer.
Malbank is also building Olympic Boulevard, to offer a huge range of facilities including a family learning suite, parent drop-in centre, health and fitness suite, Opening Minds flexible learning space, healthy eating facility, exhibition space, trampolining development centre and a base for international culture camps!
Positive Values
Engagement with learning has increased and attendance has improved among certain groups of students. Malbank are optimistic about continued improvements in attainment.
Bronze, silver and gold learning targets are being developed to promote a positive approach to the curriculum and behaviour.
Students have been inspired by the Values realising they apply to everyone, not only elite athletes. Showing the way with the Values, young sports ambassadors led a mini Olympics for primary school partners.
Every member of the school including students, teachers, support staff, governors, advisors and visitors have signed an Olympic and Paralympic commitment board.
The school has also hosted an Olympic Legacy conference for 150 primary school students.
And the highlights for students?
When questioned about what they are most proud of about the school, many students have said their Olympic work.
Students who visited Stratford were inspired by the facilities under construction and by the fact that they were on schedule.
Year 11 students have written inspirational speeches which could be read at the opening or closing ceremony and summed up by ‘Don’t have a legacy, become one!’
Towards 2012
Malbank wants to continue promoting the Values in all areas of the school and for all students to continue experiencing exciting events and activities in all subjects across the curriculum and beyond.
Plans for an enrichment day, working with an inspirational athlete and a student leadership project are all aimed at the end result of every student being involved in at least one memorable Olympic and Paralympic experience.
