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2012 Olympics
Let the Games begin!
Elyssa Campbell-Barr looks at the opportunities this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics offer for teaching and learning, and talks to three NUT members about the impact of the Games on their London schools.
Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics, said the Games should “contribute to building a better and more peaceful world by educating youth through sport”. This belief was key to the successful London 2012 Olympic bid, with Lord Coe explaining: “London’s vision is to reach young people all around the world; to connect them with the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport.”
Get Set, the London 2012 education programme, was launched in 2009 to help achieve this aim. By this January, 23,670 schools – more than three-quarters of all those in the UK – had registered, pledging their commitment to the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect and the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.
Get Set is helping schools make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for teaching and learning presented by this summer’s Games – and not just in sports. From the art of mascot design to the science behind high performance sports gear, and from the history of the Games to the cultures and languages of the 205 nations taking part in 2012, the impact is being felt across the curriculum.
One benefit of being registered with Get Set is the opportunity to receive free Games tickets. Up to 175,000 are being distributed to almost 16,000 schools for pupils aged ten to 18.
Although London is the main focus of the Games, schools across the UK will get to see some action. Sailing, cycling, rowing and football take place outside the capital, and the Olympic torch relay will cover 8,000 miles, with school children carrying the torch during School Sports Week.
Find out more
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