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Thousands of pupils in London are to have lessons about the Olympics as part of a revamped National School Sport Week starting today.
Children will be asked to choreograph opening ceremonies, devise ticketing policies and redesign the 2012 logo.
Olympic-themed lessons in almost 1,000 London schools are to take the "best values" of sport into all aspects of educational life.
National School Sport Week was introduced last year - after the decline of traditional sports days - to help meet government targets for youth participation. The aim by 2012 is to have most pupils doing five hours' sport a week in school and at clubs.
A small number of free tickets to the Games will be handed out to encourage reluctant pupils, under plans being developed by Lloyds TSB, the official 2012 bank and sports week sponsor.
Every participating school has been given a DVD of Team GB's medal-winning feats at the past two Games.
Each pupil will get certificates if they fulfil written pledges such as recording an athletics personal best, introducing friends to their sport, or improving their sporting disciplinary record. Local clubs, from cycling to archery, will go into schools to offer "taster sessions" .
The 2012 organising committee, Locog, is contributing Get Set learning packs promoting Olympic ideals to three- to19-year-olds. At Westfield Community Technology College in Watford, pupils prepared for sports week with motivational talks from two Olympic medallists, badminton player Gail Emms and sprinter Jason Gardener.
Gardener explained the rigours of winning his medal and gave a broader message about healthy lifestyles. The Youth Sport Trust ambassador said: "The Olympics can be about giving people the stimulus to take advantage of an opportunity no matter where you come from. Some parents can't afford to pay for children to join clubs so the clubs are coming to schools."
Principal Emma Aylesbury said: "We are hiring more teachers and have changed the curriculum to make room for sport. Sports week has revitalised the curriculum not just in PE but in design and technology, maths and IT. It has permeated the school."
Ntombana Moyo, 12, a keen basketball player, said: "Sport is really important because it improves your health. When do I get my ticket to the Olympics?"
With its motivated staff and exceptional facilities, including a 25-metre swimming pool, Westfield is already a sporting success story, but the scheme's true test lies in boosting participation at inner-city schools. It will be taken into 90 schools in Newham, one of the UK's least active areas.
Reader views (5)
"The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the International Olympic Committee.
- Darren, London, 29/06/2009 14:15
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A friend's daughter went to school in Newham. On sports days the aim was to compete but NOT to win! How is that meant to motivate anyone? Instead of designing logos the kids should have lessons in competing and winning!
- Man U Fan, London, 29/06/2009 13:23
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They are asking children to redesign the logo. How much did they pay for the original design? There was an article in the press last week saying that £100 million is missing from the olympic purse, that KPMG have sent in forensic accountants to investigate this very serious allegation but that their findings will not be made public. As a tax payer I am being made pay for the games and I have a right to know if there are any irregularities in the accountancy practices. If the ODA try to sweep any wrongdoings under the carpet then tax payers will have no other option but to ask the media to campaign for transparency on our behalf.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 29/06/2009 11:14
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If only they'd asked a 5 year old to design the logo in the first place . . .
- Roz, France, 29/06/2009 09:30
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"Children will be asked to choreograph opening ceremonies, devise ticketing policies and redesign the 2012 logo."
I have no doubt that a bunch of 10 year olds will do a better job than the civil servants in charge.
- Bob, Cheam, 29/06/2009 08:51
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