International links and a sporting legacy
Why Get Set?
Proud of the huge number of nationalities represented in school, Stretford High School (Trafford, North West) already held the full International Schools Award.
With sport at the very heart of everything and a full range of sporting activities offered to students, Stretford was excited about London 2012 and ready to celebrate both the Games and the planned opening of amazing new sports facilities at the school.
Get Set was a way of enthusing the school community and getting everyone involved in the celebrations.
The Journey So Far
Delighted to be announced as a winning school in the BBC and British Council Olympic Dreams competition, Stretford is now linked with Habib Public School in Karachi Pakistan and with the Pakistan Hockey team.
Stretford has become one of the few schools in the UK to teach Internationalism as a specific subject and one of the units of work in the summer term is devoted entirely to London 2012. Every single subject across the curriculum is making links to the Games.
In 2012 a sports village is being created on the school site with new facilities and enhanced club links in 12 key sports; 2012 was chosen for the opening year as a chance to build on national sporting pride and the excitement of the Games. A range of facilities designed to engage the community will include grass and 4G pitches, a sports hall and new recreational facilities.
Positive Values
The Olympic and Paralympic Values underpin everything being done as a school. Stories of courage and determination are used to inspire students. An annual school award is presented to a student who has overcome barriers to succeed.
An enhanced promotion of internationalism is celebrating the rich diversity of students and stressing the importance of respect, friendship and equality. Summer sports day included a Parade of Nations with a flag bearer for each nation.
And the highlights for students?
- “Watching the great athletes break records and making me think that perhaps with hard work I could succeed too”
- “All the nations coming together with spirit and passion is class – really exciting”
- “The riots made us look bad in the UK, but that’s not what we are like. We are a great country and the world will be watching us and they will see what a great place we are!”
Towards 2012
Offering all students an environment where they can achieve and experience success is important to Stretford High and the opening of the new sports village will further enhance this. Stretford wants to show all students that with hard work and determination their dreams are attainable and that nothing can stop them if they work and believe in themselves.
Celebrating diversity will also remain central to the aims of Stretford; it particularly wants students to understand, “that they are part of a special community and that diversity is a gift.”
