Living the Values to London 2012 and beyond
Why Get Set?
As a Sports College Wellsway (South West England) wanted to use the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire students across the whole school through a wide range of activities.
Recognising that the Olympic and Paralympic Values could have a long lasting impact Wellsway decided to adopt these as whole-school values. Students and staff were to be ‘living the values’ within the curriculum, through enrichment opportunities and within the pastoral system.
The Journey So Far
Student Olympic Leaders have delivered workshops in local primary schools promoting the Values and sharing the excitement of London 2012. The leaders have also completed a ‘Values through Leadership’ course, designed Values leadership T shirts, led workshops at a local special school and even given a presentation to visitors from Trinidad and Tobago.
A friendship club has been set up for students to meet new people in a secure and friendly environment and a new vertical tutor group system also promotes friendship. A Wellsway Courage 2011 award has been set up with students invited to nominate fellow students or members of staff for courage they have shown.
Paralympic skier Talan Skeels-Piggins visited Wellsway; tutor groups could win a place in the audience through a competition to create ‘respect’ displays. Students were also inspired by assemblies led by Paralympic sprinter Ben Rushgrove.
Further activities have included:
- An enterprise day based around the Values
- Boccia club
- A Values poster competition to win a tour of the Olympic Park!
Positive Values
A Value has been promoted each term through a range of activities, competitions and presentations. Huge posters are displayed all around the school reflecting each current focus Value.
As part of an overall ‘outstanding’ given to Wellsway in 2011 Ofsted commented that, “the seven Olympic and Paralympic Values have been adopted as whole-school values and these are promoted very successfully.”
And the highlights for students?
- “Talan’s speech was very inspirational it told us that no matter what has happened in life you can always achieve what you want”
- “We went to a raised viewing platform to see the nearly complete stadium in all of its glory”
- “I think the workshop was really good and we are all looking forward to the next one!”
Towards 2012Further activities are being planned both within school and with partner primary schools to continue spreading the message of living the Values.
Olympic Leaders are working with a team of staff to plan a cross-curricular Olympic and Paralympic Games week which will involve exciting opening and closing ceremonies and a range of activities within lessons based around the Values and the Games. Wellsway is also looking forward to celebrating excellence and inspiration through ‘Wellsway’s Got Talent’ helping to promote the school’s belief that:
‘The Olympic and Paralympic Values are not necessarily about Sport. They are about how we should all lead our lives’.
