Inspire-Aspire take applications for 2012-13

What a wonderful summer of sport we have had, haven’t we? Watching the coverage of the Olympic and Paralympic Games over the last two months has really shown what a positive impact London 2012 has had on Great Britain as a whole and demonstrated that whilst the Games are over, they will leave a lasting legacy which will inspire and motivate our young people for a long time to come. The Inspire-Aspire Programme plays an important role in this and will be even more poignant this year as the success of London 2012 and Team GB are still fresh in the minds of so many across the UK. 

Sign up now to help us create a lasting Games legacy: www.inspire-aspire.org.uk/application.shtml

Olympic School launched in Canada

Education departments across the world are working together to create a lasting Games legacy. The Canadian Olympic School Program presents the first instalment of the 2012-2013 classroom resources with “Celebration of Excellence”. A resource that will introduce students to the Olympic Values, the Olympic Movement, the London 2012 Canadian Olympic Team and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. Supplemented with adaptable and modifiable activities students will learn how to develop a Press Release, be challenged to adopt healthy active lives and develop a better understanding of what it means to Give Your Everything. Please view www.olympicschool.ca for more information.

Latest Awards Photos

Photographs from the Inspire Aspire Awards for London 2012 presented in London, Manchester, Swansea, Belfast and Glasgow are now available to view and download from our picassa album https://picasaweb.google.com/102797069325584446867.

Hampden Awards Photos

Photos from the the Inspire-Aspire Awards at Hampden Stadium in Glasgow are now available to download from our picassa photo album.

Olympian Endorsement

Katherine Grainger MBE is going for gold in her third attempt at an Olympic Games. In making Inspire-Aspire Awards to young people she said, "it is an utter privilege to be involved with this genuinely life-changing project.  Seeing young people be inspired by the Olympic Games is a wonderful thing but more than that, I myself have been inspired by the young people - by their work, their vision, their creativity, their enthusiasm - they have shown how to be inspirational people themselves.  It proves that inspiration is not limited by age, experience or success. Everyone can inspire and be inspired."

Olympic Apprenticeships

This week marked one year to go to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. One small business in Fife, which is contracted to deliver a UK wide education programme connected to the Games has announced plans to provide two further apprenticeships as part of the scheme.

The Career Studio, which is based in Cupar will deliver the Inspire-Aspire programme to around 75,000 young people in Schools up and down the country with the support of education partners and some well-known athletes from the past and the present.

Daniel Harkness (19) and Shaun Moore (17) pictured below are already undertaking their Apprenticeship at The Career Studio which includes developing skills in IT, communications and event management. Two more apprenticeships are now being advertised to start in September.

Talking about his experience so far, Shaun said “the last few months have been amazing. We ran a really big event at Stirling University in June and then at the headquarters of London 2012 at Canary Wharf in London a few weeks ago. The views from the top floor were spectacular and I could see the whole Olympic Park. The apprenticeship is hard work but I am really enjoying meeting new people and pushing myself to learn new skills while making a contribution to the Olympics in a small way”. Daniel said that “anyone who wants to get into a great apprenticeship with lots to do and get responsibility quickly will love this. The Inspire-Aspire programme definitely has a big impact and I have seen this first hand already”.

Ronnie Davidson is the programme co-ordinator and said of the opportunities, “these apprenticeships are the only ones of their kind anywhere in Scotland and they give young people the chance to get directly involved in something really exciting from day one. In just one year, the apprenticeships will provide hands on experience of communications, PR, event management and a level 3 Scottish Vocational Qualification in Business Administration which is a great gateway to starting out on a successful career”.

To find out more you can visit www.apprenticeshipsinscotland.com/inspired or call The Career Studio on 01334 844900.

10,000 and counting

Great news! We have reached our first landmark with over 10,000 young people now participating in the Inspire Aspire Values Poster Awards. It's not to late to pilot the programme for this academic year so get in touch and apply now to take part.

Take part, take part . . .

Any school anywhere in the UK can take part in the Inspire Aspire Values Poster Awards. It's a great way to bring the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games to life for every young person. All you need to do is visit the teachers' notes section of the website to get started. Go for it!