Research Briefing on Citizenship Communities

Creating Citizenship Communities: Teachers’ views on students’ experiences of citizenship education and community involvement. New research from the University of York. Download the PDF briefing.

Glasgow Gaelic School pupils inspire teachers at Games Legacy event

Education Scotland hosted a highly successful ‘A Games Legacy for Scotland’ event at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Tuesday 31st January 2012. More than 200 teachers from across Scotland came together in Glasgow to hear more about the Scottish government’s ‘Games Legacy for Scotland’ agency and to find out how they can play their part in inspiring young people through Games Legacy. Teachers were given the opportunity to speak to exhibitors from organisations promoting Games Legacy and were able attend two of the seven workshops which were on offer.
Inspire-Aspire was asked to deliver a workshop at the event and invited Glasgow Gaelic School to co-present the session. Gemma Clark, the programme co-ordinator worked with Jessie Little, RME teacher at Glasgow Gaelic School, to tell the Inspire-Aspire story and pupils, Catriona Campbell and Iona Whyte were able to share their first hand experiences of the programme. Jessie explained how she has used Inspire-Aspire in teaching the ‘Values for Heroes’ project and demonstrated how and where the programme fits into the Curriculum for Excellence. For more details please visit: www.inspire-aspire.org.uk/cpd/cfe.pdf. The session was well received and teachers in attendance were keen to become involved.

Inspire-Aspire featured in SecEd

Inspire-Aspire has been featured in 2012’s first edition of SecEd, the only independent weekly newspaper exclusively dedicated to Secondary Education. The full length article, written by Anne Nicholls, explains the benefits to schools of participating in the programme and gives testimonials from pupils and teachers who have previously taken part. To view the full article on page 15, please visit http://content.yudu.com/A1v6it/SecEdJan512/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl

An Olympic Year for Education

As excitement builds for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London this summer, Schools across the UK are planning how to make the most of the educational opportunities.
The legacy list from London 2012 is likely to be one of the most impressive from any modern Olympic Games. New world class facilities and transport links grace the capital and the boost to the economy will be very welcome. But what of the legacy in education? There is much to learn from hosting a major world event but can a nation harness the potential in education to develop skills and aspirations as a result of hosting The Games?
Get Set is the education programme at the heart of London 2012. It connects schools across the UK to the endorsed educational resources and event ticket information. One such resource which aims to maximise the opportunities for learning from The Games is the Inspire-Aspire Awards Programme. By taking part, pupils explore the values behind the Olympic movement. According to Gemma Clark, the programme co-ordinator, “young people across the UK can create their own personal connection with London 2012 and schools can make the most of the educational opportunity to engage pupils with a wide range of interests”.
The programme reaches further than you might expect. One school which is committed to exploring the values behind the Olympic movement is Glasgow Gaelic School. Pupils in fourth year (Y10) have participated in Inspire-Aspire as part of their Values for Heroes project. Pupil feedback is impressive with one comment suggesting that participation in the programme had “changed my life”. Gemma explains that “the programme explores the values demonstrated by inspirational figures around the world to show how their values have shaped the way they live their lives and contribute to their success. The pupils who have taken part in this project have gained an insight into how displaying the Olympic values of excellence, respect, friendship, as well as the Paralympic values of inspiration, courage, determination and equality, in their own lives can help them achieve their own personal goals and aspirations.”
More information
Visit http://www.inspire-aspire.org.uk to register online to get your school started or contact the awards hotline on 01334 844900.
Schools involved in Inspire-Aspire can apply for Get Set network status and become an official school of London 2012. They must show their commitment by incorporating the values of the Olympics and Paralympics into their daily curriculum.
A local School contact may be available for regional press. Please call Gemma on 01334 844900.
For more information see http://getset.london2012.com

The Year of the London Olympics is now here!!

2012 is now upon us and, as the excitement builds for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London and across the UK, British schools are gearing up to play their part in celebrating one of the greatest events on earth. The Inspire-Aspire Poster Awards Programme is a wonderful way to bring the values behind the Olympic movement into the classroom. With over 18,000 participants this academic year, Inspire-Aspire helps young people to create a personal connection with London 2012 right across the UK. If your school would like to get involved, sign up now by visiting http://www.inspire-aspire.org.uk/application.shtml. We look forward to having you on board!

Last chance for School to get free London 2012 tickets

Schools on the Get Set network have until Friday 16th December 2011 to claim free tickets to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for students aged 10-18. Any school taking part in Inspire Aspire is eligible for tickets, they just need to complete a simple online form sharing what work they have been doing, and plan to do, that is inspired by London 2012. Don’t delay, do it now to ensure your students don’t miss out. Apply now

1000 days to Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

The 1000-day countdown to the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has begun, with the Scottish Government making the first major push to generate enthusiasm for the Games beyond the boundaries of the host city.

Ministers have launched a new one-stop site online providing details of Scotland-wide events around the Games over the next three years.

It will give communities beyond Greater Glasgow details of activities in their local area, from sporting groups to the progress of home-grown 2014 hopefuls and business opportunities.

Launched to mark the 1000-day countdown, the site will also provide Scotland-wide progress towards developing a lasting legacy from the Games.

Visit http://gameslegacyscotland.org/ for more information.

Get into GET SET!

London 2012 recognises that by taking part in Inspire>Aspire, you are among the schools which are most committed to living the Olympic and Paralympic Values. To reward schools for their commitment, London 2012 will send them a plaque and certificate, and be given the right to use the London 2012 education logo. They will also give schools access to exclusive rewards like tours of the Olympic Parks, visits from athletes, merchandise and much more! See http://getset.london2012.com/en/join-us for more info.

Click here to view our Get Set School Case Studies.

Sylw! Welsh ePoster now available!

Inspire>Aspire is excited to announce the introduction of the Welsh ePoster. As more and more schools in Wales are taking part in our programme, we felt young people would benefit from the poster template being available in Welsh. Click here to view it.
We welcome Welsh language entries using the translated ePoster template. Schools still need to register in the normal way by visiting http://www.inspire-aspire.org.uk/application.shtml

Meet the new Inspire-Aspire team!

The Inspire-Aspire programme is co-ordinated by Katherine Davidson and Gemma Clark. As Careers Advisors, Kath and Gemma are passionate about character education and committed to working with young people to help them achieve their potential. Inspire-Aspire are delighted to welcome Nicola England to the team. Nicola has started work on the project as a Modern Apprentice, and will provide invaluable input to the programme. Together Kath, Gemma and Nicola look forward to leading the project into its second successful year.