Wilson Stuart Sports College
Paralympic Inspiration and Celebration
Why Get Set?
Wilson Stuart Sports College (Birmingham, West Midlands) wanted to build on their students’ excitement about all things Olympic and Paralympic. As a Sports and Applied Learning College, there was already a strong ethos of students respecting themselves and striving to succeed, and great opportunities offered in PE and Sport regardless of any physical limitations.
Get Set would further promote these areas, giving pupils and staff access to a wealth of information about the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with students having opportunities to:
- Be inspired by disabled athletes
- Share excellence with pupils from a wide range of settings
- Make new friends
- Experience commitment to equality.
“We hope it will give all of our pupils the determination and courage to fight all the obstacles and believe in ability not disability.”
The Journey So Far
Through their Paralympic Handover Day students experienced exciting and inventive activities such as designing their own medal, and taking photos of themselves being brave. Gigantic and visually stunning Olympic Rings were created on the playground.
A social sports club is being run by ex-pupils. This after-school club is open to the community, giving students an opportunity to meet new friends and to be inspired by disabled leaders.
Students have been involved in a range of Leadership projects and have:
Taught assemblies based on the Values
- Led multi-skills activities in primary schools
- Organised a Sportsability festival for all abilities
- Taught the ‘Disability Awareness in Sport’ award in a local mainstream primary school.
Students have learnt more about their disabilities, explored the achievements of successful Paralympians, and taken part in an all-ability Boccia competition.
Positive Values
Paralympic Handover Day was seen as a real success, generating a sense of excitement and pride among students and staff.
“We had a fab day where children learnt the Values but the Olympic ring picture is our favourite, and we have two huge pictures in school and LOCOG has one in their office!”
Students have been inspired by opportunities to pursue disability sports and have enjoyed looking at associated areas such as the work of referees and officials. Following successful officiating of the Boccia competition, students have been asked to officiate at regional level.
Students have learnt what the Paralympic Values mean and appear to be trying harder than ever to succeed!
Towards 2012
By 2012 students will be able to gain skills and qualifications in officiating Paralympic sports, and maybe even volunteer to help at the Paralympics Games. Understanding the Paralympic Values will remain crucial as will opportunities to actively use these in sporting competitions throughout 2012.
Leadership opportunities will continue. Students will be leading festivals and competitions both within school and through inter-school competitions with partner primary schools. Students will be able to transfer these leadership skills to ICT, showing elderly people in the community how to use a computer and introduce them to Get Set!
Best of all would be raising enough money to take all students to the Games and see the Values being applied for real.
