Inspiring children through sport
Why Get Set?
Joining the Get Set Network meant children at Navigation Primary (Trafford, North West) feeling part of the Olympic movement and having access to new sports. Sport could be used to help develop children’s confidence and inspire them in other areas of their lives.
Navigation was already promoting the Values through PE, PSHE and other subjects. Get Set would mean more opportunities to focus on the Values and support the development of them in the local community.
The Journey So Far
Navigation is an inclusive school and always promotes equal opportunities through its well attended clubs. School teams play on a friendly basis and do very well in local leagues and tournaments.
Sports day 2011 was held at Altrincham Athletics track as a warm up to an ambitious and exciting event for 2012 with opening ceremonies, Paralympic events and children representing different countries.
Navigation has set up ‘Sporting Stars’, a club aimed at developing social skills and encouraging positivity amongst children with EBD and other special needs. School holiday sports camps are hosted to support parents in the local community and extra-curricular clubs inspire children to take up a range of sports.
A prospective Olympic athlete currently training to represent Team GB at London 2012 visited school and taught children volleyball. Children have also been busy discussing sporting news, researching famous Olympic athletes and entering the design a healthy meal competition.
National School Sport Week is embraced with a range of activities planned and athletics is further promoted through the Aviva UK athletics scheme.
Positive Values
PSHE has involved children researching, questioning and evaluating how the Olympic and Paralympic Games promote inspiration, determination, enterprise and equality. Children have learnt about the significance of the black power salute and the impact it had on future generations.
Having looked at inspirational role models, some of whom have succeeded in the face of great adversity, children are feeling more confident in discussing their future plans and setting goals for themselves. From watching their heroes children are inspired to participate in a range of sporting activities.
And the highlights for students?
- “I am most looking forward to watching athletes who never want to give up, who push themselves to their very limits”
- “What inspires me most about the Olympic Games is that everybody, no matter who they are or what background they are from, has the chance to succeed and be the best that they can be. Everyone is equal!”
- “I cannot wait to see the different religions and cultures from around the world come together for one event!”
Towards 2012
Navigation aims to develop links with countries competing in the Games and establish links with a London school. Collaboration with local schools on a Games-based project is planned, as is participation in a sports event involving neighbouring special schools.
Topic work and a whole curriculum week will be linked to the Games and Values; children will be encouraged to demonstrate the Values in their everyday lives.
Intra and inter school competitions will be developed and children will be offered opportunities to experience Olympic sports. An ultimate measure of success would be the number of children participating in school sport who do not participate currently.
