Edinburgh schools will join the countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with a series of cultural and sporting events across the city. The programme, called ‘Edinburgh Gets Set for the Games’, unveiled today at Redhall School, will take place over the coming academic year.
The programme will include a concert at the Usher Hall, a major sporting event at Meadowbank Stadium as well as a wide range of curriculum based educational projects based on making international links, learning about other Olympic nations, healthy eating, sport, international culture, concerts and events and international twinning.
Arranged through Edinburgh International City of Learning (EICL), international students from city universities and colleges will buddy up with primary schools to help with projects based on their designated country.
City Education Leader Councillor Marilyne MacLaren said:
“London 2012 presents us with a fantastic opportunity and, with our programme of cultural and sporting events, we’re determined to make the most of the enthusiasm that is building ahead of the Games.
“A Games legacy shouldn’t just be assumed – we need to make sure that young people have the opportunity to become involved and to be inspired. We’re doing this by organising our own programme of events which reflect the sporting and cultural values of the Games. I’m confident that pupils who take part will not only be inspired, they’ll feel that they’ve played their part in London 2012.”
Edinburgh Gets Set for the Games has been awarded official ‘Inspire’ status by London 2012. This means that Edinburgh pupils can benefit from a number of free Games tickets and may get the opportunity to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay celebrations.
Lord Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, said:
“We want to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The Inspire programme is recognising the work our partners all round the UK are doing to help us achieve this vision now – one year away from the start of the Games. I congratulate everyone involved in Get Set for the Games for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work.”
Approximately 2000 pupils from P5 and P6 classes across the city will take part in Get Set for the Games.
The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport participation, education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities & culture. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in. For more information on Inspire: http://www.london2012.com/inspire-programme
