Press Release

School and college celebrations across the North West mark Paralympic Handover and herald the start of the London 2012 Education Programme.

17 September 2008

    In the Northwest, 257 schools and colleges have officially registered to be part of today’s (September 17th) Paralympic Handover with many more also taking part in activities.

An estimated 5,000 schools and colleges across the UK have taken up London 2012’s invitation to lead the celebrations and welcome the Paralympic Games home, on the day London Mayor Boris Johnson receives the Paralympic Flag during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

3,000 schools and colleges across the UK have registered directly with the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), with an estimated further 2,000 institutions involved in events run by Local Authorities, sports clubs, leisure centres and cultural groups.

Highlights of today’s celebrations in the region include;

Kirkby Sports College, Knowsley, Liverpool from 1.30pm. This is the Northwest region’s flagship event.

Pupils will be joined by Liverpool’s own Olympic swimmmer Michael Rock. Michael took a year off studying at the University of Manchester to compete at Beijing 2008 and entered three events, reaching the final of the Men’s 4 * 100m medley relay and the semi-finals of the Men’s 200m Butterfly. Michael will give a short speech after Andy Worthington, Chair of the NW Steering Group for the 2012 Games, gives an address. Everyone will watch the Paralympic Handover on a giant screen from about 2.05pm. Following the handover pupils will give demonstrations and involve their peers in inclusive sports such as gymnastics and cricket.

Pupils will be photographed with a limited edition Paralympic flag supplied by LOCOG as the region’s flagship handover event.

This a new school formed through an amalgamation of Brookfield High School and Ruffwood School which today launches a new school ethos based on the Olympic and Paralympic values with a special assembly and sports participation events.

St Josephs RC High School & Sports College in Bolton hosts a celebration assembly and discuss the meaning of the Paralympic Games with former Wheelchair Rugby Paralympian Robert Tarr;
Forefield Junior School in Crosby will design flags around the theme of the Paralympic Value of Equality.
Inspired by the amazing performances by ParalympicsGB in Beijing, the schools and colleges were supported in celebrating Paralympic Handover by a set of online resources including films, posters and factsheets launched in June by (LOCOG).

The festivities across the region gave children and young people their first taste of the creativity and inspiration that will be found throughout the London 2012 domestic education programme called ‘Get Set’ which goes live tomorrow (18 September). A new interactive ‘Get Set’ website can be found at www.london2012.com/getset.  
The interactive website supports children and young people in learning about the Games and, exploring and committing to the Paralympic Values of inspiration, determination, courage and equality and the Olympic Values of respect, excellence and friendship.
Highlights of the ‘Get Set’ website include:

-A range of free, flexible resources with the Paralympic and Olympic Values at their heart.  Resource available on the site are for 3-19 year olds and include inspirational films, interactive games, fact sheets, news articles and more, along with an Educators section for practitioners and senior management.  

-The opportunity for schools and colleges to join the Get Set network and receive rewards, recognition and endorsement for work around the Values.  

-The opportunity to ‘Go Further’ and get involved in initiatives supported by London 2012 partners in eight key themes - internationalism; communication, collaboration and citizenship; practical learning; PE and sport; enterprise; sustainability and regeneration; culture and creativity, and healthy, active lifestyles.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of (LOCOG) said: “Our vision is to inspire children and young people through the London 2012 Games. Our athletes at the 2008 Paralympic Games and Olympic Games have certainly done this. The Paralympic and Olympic Values lie at the heart of our handover celebrations and are an integral part of our work with young people through schools and colleges. By motivating young people in the North West and capturing their imagination we can help them to fulfill their potential, and create a legacy that will continue long after the London 2012 Games have ended.”

Andy Worthington, Chair of the NW Steering Group for the 2012 Games, said: "Our Team GB Paralympic athletes have done phenomenally well in Beijing and it is excellent that we can celebrate their achievements by joining in with the official Paralympic Handover today.
"The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have the power to create a strong legacy in the Northwest so it is vital that The Games are being brought directly into our schools and learning institutions. This is particularly relevant at Kirkby Sports College as it is a new school with a new opportunity to inspire the next generation of children and young people."

Pam Jervis, Headteacher at Kirkby Sports College and member of the NW Steering Group for the 2012 Games, said: “We are delighted to be chosen to host these celebrations.
“The Paralympics and Olympics are shining examples of how people from all backgrounds and cultures can come together and stretch themselves to the limits of achievement.
“The values of these great events will underpin the ethos of our new school as we urge all pupils to achieve their utmost with pride and determination.”

Jim Knight, Minister for Schools, said: “The Olympic and Paralympic spirit can be hugely motivating to young people - symbolising people using their abilities to achieve at the highest level. My department is delighted to be working with LOCOG to realise the educational potential of the 2012 Games.”