Promoting inclusive sporting opportunities
Why Get Set?
Totton College (South East, Hampshire) wanted staff and students to enjoy all possible benefits that the Olympic and Paralympic Games could bring and enhance the learning experience offered by the college. It was already proud of being an inclusive college with able bodied students educated alongside students with a range of disabilities.
The Journey So Far
500 days to the start of London 2012 was marked with a New Forest Schools Superstars event with activities including rowing, duathlon, fitness testing and golf. Students are regular participants in a range of sporting competitions including the Hampshire Colleges Athletics Tournament which promotes the Olympic Values and includes Olympic events.
A Change 4 Life wheelchair basketball club has been established and participants have taken part in a wheelchair basketball festival. Funding has also been received to provide group coaching for those foundation students who are weak swimmers.
Inclusive leadership opportunities are offered through Mission Possible which involves students with disabilities taking a generic leadership course and a wheelchair basketball leaders award; the project culminates in these students running a mini tournament.
There are plans for a new cycling enrichment programme for students who have never been able to access cycling before due to disability. Working with Pavilion in the Park they will be able to access specifically designed bikes to cater for all abilities and will be learning to cycle.
Positive Values
With the main engagement for students having been through the medium of sport there are now plans to base some tutorial content on the Olympic Games and Values. E-profiles are also being set up for students, with opportunities for writing blog entries under the sub headings of the Olympic and Paralympic Values. The aim will be to create positive personal statements ready for moving on to employment or university entry.
And the highlights for students?
- “It inspires us to get involved in sport as players and volunteers as well as giving me a feeling of pride in my country”
- “It gives you opportunities to do things that you may not get to do otherwise not just in sport but culturally as well”
- “I like to watch highly talented athletes do well, there is nothing better than watching a world record”
- “It symbolizes the effort, dedication and sacrifice that the athletes make to be successful”
- “It is about National Pride.”
Towards 2012
Plans include a family day based on themes of the Games to place Totton College at the centre of the community. Students will be able to bring their families and will have opportunities to be involved in a variety of capacities in order to make the day a success. There is also excitement about the torch relay and how the college might have the chance to get involved in this.
