This is your School Games – make the most of it!
It’s youR School Games Welcome to the School Games – a unique
opportunity to motivate and inspire
millions of young people across the
country to take part in more competitive
school sport than ever before. As we move
closer to hosting the London 2012 Olympic
and Paralympic Games there really is no
better time to build on your existing work
in school sport and showcase the positive
impact that competitive sport can have on
your students.
With the support of School Games
Organisers, we are giving you the chance
to create a year-round sporting calendar,
with around 30 sports available, specifically
designed to get young people competing
at intra-school and inter-school levels and
culminating in local, regional and national
events. The School Games is a celebration
of competitive sport for students and we
want all young people, of all ages, abilities
and backgrounds to be involved.
This prospectus will bring the excitement
and the new opportunities of the School
Games to life for you and your school, and
let you know how you can get involved
ahead of the full competition starting in
September 2011.
LEVEL 1For many young people, sporting competition is first experienced through intra-school events – between house teams, between form group teams or in games lessons. Level 1 of the School Games will build on your existing work to offer students a year-round programme of regular intra-school competition in a number of sports that culminates in a School Games Day.
LEVEL 2At the next stage, individuals and teams can be selected to represent the school in local inter-school competitions, many of which will be leagues. Formats in around 30 sports will be provided for years 3 to 13 so that primary, secondary and special schools can decide which competitions they wish to enter. Schools are encouraged to involve as many youngsters as possible by entering individual competitors and also a number of teams in a broad range of sports.
LEVEL 3Each county/area will host an exciting multi-sport School Games Festival as a culmination to the year-round-programme of inter-school sport. Teams and individuals from primary, secondary and special schools will win the right to compete in this event if they qualify through the local Level 2 inter-school competitions. The School Games Festivals will give young people the platform to be recognised by National Governing Bodies of Sport, which may lead to them being selected for the Level 4 national event. The local organising committee for these events will be chaired by a Head Teacher and will bring together local partners, including County Sport Partnerships.
LEVEL 4The top level of the School
Games competition is a
national multi-sport event
where the most talented
young people in the country
will be selected to compete
in our best venues and live
in the unique and vibrant
atmosphere of an athletes’
village. Our aspiration is for
the first national event to take
place in the Olympic Park in
May 2012 – so there will be no
better opportunity to inspire
young athletes and give them
a taste of competition at the
highest level.
LEVEL 1Intra-school competition
LEVEL 4National multi-sport
residential event
Progression into/through NGB performance system
LEVEL 3Annual county/area culmination of
inter-school competition
LEVEL 2Regular inter-school competition
between schools at local level
FEEDS
LINKED
The School Games: an oveRview
WhAT IS IT?
The School Games is a new and exciting way for all young people to get involved in competitive school sport. There are three key elements to the School Games at all levels:
Getting eveRyone involvedNo matter what their experience, talent or ability, the School Games will be open to all young people. With
competitions available at intra-school, inter-school and county/area level, there is a place for everyone.
The School Games is also designed to complement existing initiatives in your school which encourage a
wide range of young people to participate in sport – such as Change4Life Sports Clubs.
The competition laddeRYoung people should be able to progress in competitive school sport and the School Games provides
the connectivity to achieve this. It provides opportunities for young people to start off in intra-school
competitions and then progress to the next level to take part in inter-school competitions. From there, if a
team or individual qualifies, the next step is competing at a county/area level at a School Games Festival.
At this point young athletes may be recognised by National Governing Bodies of Sport and could go on
to compete at Level 4 - the national multi-sport event.
Using the excitement of spoRt and London 2012
The School Games is a new approach to school sport designed to motivate and enthuse all
young people. Using the unique power and energy of London 2012, now is the time to inspire
everyone to take part! Our young people expect and deserve the best – this means an approach
to competitive school sport that is exciting, well presented, offers a wide variety of sports
and which gives other opportunities for students to get involved through cultural activities,
organisation, officiating or volunteering.
Choosing yoUR spoRtsThe School Games will include as many sports as possible (around 30 in the first year) and
guidance will be provided on competition formats for all age groups at both intra- and inter-
school levels to assist the development of young people in those sports.
What sports will you choose to have as intra-school competitions? Your choice of sports will
depend on what facilities, equipment and expertise amongst teaching staff are available, as
well as school tradition or whether you choose to follow an Olympic or Paralympic theme.
Additionally, how are you going to involve the school’s students in the decisions? As young
people will be the ones taking part in the competitions, they should play a significant role in
coordinating and organising the programme.
In the year leading into our Olympic and Paralympic Games, you might decide that your
school will enter teams into School Games competitions in some of the many Olympic
and Paralympic Sports. The School Games will provide you with information and
guidance on how to compete in as many sports as possible, so make the most of this
opportunity to inspire your students and get them competing for your school.
Further information will be added to www.yourschoolgames.com – once you register you will receive email updates to keep you informed.
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The School Games is an inclusive
competition model which will involve
all young people in competitive sport
regardless of their ability, motivation for
competing, aspirations, or any physical or
learning disabilities. A partner of the School
Games is Paralympics GB and all sports
that are part of the School Games will
have competition formats for the inclusion
of disabled young people, promoting
the Values, integrity and endeavour
demonstrated by the Paralympic Games.
Specific formats are being developed,
with a number of sports designed to
allow disabled young people to compete
alongside and against able-bodied and
disabled peers. Such formats already
exist through sports such as Wheelchair
Basketball and the innovative ‘Inclusive
Zone Basketball’ modified format, which
combines the wheelchair and running
version of basketball. The School Games
is also working with sports such as
athletics and swimming to develop easy to
understand scoring systems to allow all
young people to compete together.
For young people who are part of
disability groups requiring specific
sports formats, the School
Games will include sports such as
Boccia and Table Cricket. All areas of
the country will be encouraged to include
an appropriate selection of these sports
at the Level 3 County/area events with
teams having qualified through local
competitions.
Including all young people
WHY do it?
There are many benefits of getting involved in the School Games, both for your school and for your students:
MoRe active - fit and healthySchools can provide even more opportunities for young people to be active through a wider variety of school
sport competitions. These experiences should be the springboard for more students to engage in physical
activity in and out of school, meaning that sport and physical activity becomes a regular feature of their lives.
BehaviouR in schoolCompetitive sport and regular physical activity leads to improved concentration,
thus benefiting attention in lessons across the school – and at breaks and lunchtimes.
TeamwoRK sKillsStudents taking part in competitions develop cooperation and collaboration skills within their team. Equally
those who undertake the coordination and management of the competitions will further develop their
teamwork skills as they work together to run the events, which can be transferred into the classroom.
ConfidenceTaking part in sensitively-planned and inclusive sporting activities can enhance levels of confidence in young
people, who may not have previously participated. With more students being afforded opportunities to take
part, more will be able to reap the benefits.
LeaRning about winning and losingSchools and students can take the experiences of winning and losing in the School Games to improve their
resilience and determination to succeed. Schools can help students to transfer these skills into their wider
school learning. This ‘Sporting Spirit’ is a key element of the School Games.
School ethosSport and competition can be a key driver for bringing staff and students together – just think of the
Olympic and Paralympic Values and their relevance to school life. These opportunities could play a
part in supporting the school’s ethos, reinforcing values and giving numerous opportunities
to celebrate success. Schools with house systems can use the School Games to
further the sense of belonging as they can provide opportunities for students
across age groups to work together.
The School Games provides a great platform from which to enhance all aspects of school life:
The School Games could be utilised to activate a house system through the year-round intra-school programme.
The culmination of the intra-school competition – your School Games Day – could act as a focal point, using sports
competition as the vehicle for students to get involved in other ways, such as filming, reporting or commentating.
The School Games will help you weave more cultural work into school life, replicating the ethos of the Olympic and
Paralympic Games. In your opening ceremony, students might choreograph a dance performance, for example.
The School Games allows students to build a real sense of pride in their school through representing themselves and
their peers in sporting competition. The inter-school competition element provides an excellent opportunity for schools
to build a distinct identity with their own ethos and values.
WhateveR youR school does, students should be right at the HeaRt of it.
Positioning IT in youR school
How do I Get Involved?
Register your school’s interest at www.yourschoolgames.com
Once you register your interest you will receive updates and information as we
approach the start of the first full year of the School Games in September 2011.
Involve the whole schoolThe School Games should excite and inspire everyone to get involved.
Start thinking about how you will work with students, teachers, other staff
and parents to put the School Games at the heart of school life.
Plan your intra-school programmeWhy not bring together a group within your school to plan your intra-school
programme for next year? Which sports and formats will you choose?
What will your School Games Day look and feel like? It’s time to get planning!
TIMELINEAPRIL 2011Get registeredDon’t miss out: register at www.yourschoolgames.com to
get involved in the School Games.
JUNE/JULY 2011Information sent to registered schoolsAdditional details will be sent direct to your inbox to help you plan the
School Games in your school.
SEPTEMBER 2011School Games goes liveYour School Games intra- and inter-school competition
programme starts. Main School Games website goes live.
JANUARY 2012Additional sportsStart of the second term for the School Games –
time to add some sports to your programme?
MAY 2012 School Games national eventThe most talented school-age young people from across the country will be
selected to compete at the first national event. In 2012 our aspiration is for this to
be held at the Olympic Park! Will anyone from your school be competing – and
will you be there to cheer them on?
JUNE/JULY 2012Your School Games DaysThe Level 1 event that is culmination of your intra-school programme.
County School Games eventsThe Level 3 event is the county level-culmination of
your inter school programme.
SEPTEMBER 2012Start of a new school yearHow will you progress your competitions and build on the
progress your school has made?
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REGISTERING youR school
www.youRschoolgAmes.com