Get Set, the official Olympic and Paralympic education programme in the UK, is delighted to announce the launch of its latest initiative ‘Get Set to Plan Your Legacy’. The programme, which is funded by the Department for Education, sees 105 schools benefit from grants to support them in delivering activities to maximise the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Building on the success of ‘Plan your 2012’, a London Organising Committee (LOCOG) programme, the ‘Get Set to Plan your Legacy’ takes inspiration from the Olympic Values of excellence, friendship and respect and the Paralympic Values of determination, inspiration, courage, and equality. The grants will enable schools to run Olympic and Paralympic inspired projects with other local schools in their community – a minimum of ten each.
Seb Coe, Chair of the British Olympic Association, said: “Get Set to Plan Your Legacy is a great opportunity for schools to contribute to the legacy of the Games and to make a lasting impact in their communities.” Tim Reddish, Chair of the British Paralympic Association, added: “This initiative will empower schools and communities around the country to deliver on the Games’ Legacy objectives. The network of schools involved will make a real impact and help to build a sustainable legacy.” Children’s Minister Edward Timpson said: “This initiative is a great opportunity for schools across the country to work together and really harness the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic games. “We’re investing more than £300m in school sport and giving every child the opportunity to stay fit, healthy and to excel at sport, so that we can create an Olympic legacy we can truly be proud of.” Schools who have been awarded the grant participated in a national induction session last week designed to improve the quality of the programme, invigorate existing legacy plans and enable teachers to work more effectively in partnership with other schools. Vicky Dean, Oldham School Sport Partnership, said: “Failsworth School is delighted to be part of the ‘Plan your Legacy’ initiative as it will enable us to carry on the excitement that we created during London 2012. The Olympic and Paralympic Roadshows we have planned across Oldham will keep the inspiration of the Olympics and Paralympics alive for children and young people.” Kierran Pearce, Marketfield School, said: “Marketfield School is honoured to be taking part in this initiative. Our programme will build on the success of our previous projects to ensure we fulfil our legacy ambitions. We are planning activities and initiatives ranging from sports festivals, inclusion weeks and a legacy film. “Our main aim is to help change negative views towards people with disabilities in sport and life, and the ‘Plan your Legacy’ project will help us achieve it.” Julie Bligh- Smith, Helme Junior & Infant School, said: “All the children in our small primary school are really excited to be involved in the 'Plan your Legacy' initiative. Our activities involve engaging other primary schools in the area to hold athletics competitions throughout their schools, with year group medallists attending regional finals organised by high school Young Leaders. “A further initiative will build on children's understanding of disability sport by inviting all children within each class to a Paralympic Club after school.”
Further information is available at www.getset.co.uk