Opportunity for schools to get involved in Paralympic Handover events and London 2012 education programme

On 17 September 2008, the Paralympic Flag will be handed from the Mayor of Beijing to the Mayor of London.  This Handover Ceremony marks the start of the build up to the London 2012 Games and the beginning of the London 2012 Education Programme. This programme aims to create a once in a generation Games experience for children and young people, inspiring them to fulfil their potential and create long-term benefits for themselves and their communities.


Paralympic Handover offers a unique opportunity to put schools and colleges at the heart of celebrations.  Schools, colleges and other places of learning in Staffordshire have the opportunity to develop their own plans for celebrations. Ideas might include disability sports festivals, events inspired by the Paralympic values, singing competitions, international language and sport festivals, assemblies, debates and open days - to name just a few.


London 2012 have developed an education resource to support children and young people in planning and leading celebrations on the 17 September, engaging their whole learning community in the excitement of the day and exploring themes that this event presents.  This online resource, available at www.london2012.com/paralympichandover was launched on 16 June and provides a range of tools to support schools and colleges in developing and delivering their ideas. In addition, every school has received a four minute promotional film explaining the purpose of Handover and a timeline for a classroom wall detailing the history of the Paralympic Games.

The online resource provides a range of different tools including:

• activity ideas, e.g. a physical or virtual Time Capsule, or the Handover Challenge where young people participate in sporting and cultural challenges that last 20 minutes and 12 seconds.
• factsheets for use in lessons and on classroom walls about the Paralympic Games and Paralympic athletes
• a seven minute inspirational film about the Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement (from Sept)
• an image bank of Paralympic athletes, sports and heritage, along with other London 2012 images. These images can be used by young people and teachers in projects, assemblies and other presentations
• screensavers, wallpaper and certificates for teachers to download and use with their pupils
• posters displaying the Paralympic values and stickers (primary schools) for order

Nigel Capewell Lichfield Paralympic Cyclist

Schools who would like to participate in the Paralympic Handover celebrations can register their details through the website. Paralympic Handover celebrations are the curtain raising event for the London 2012 Education Programme, which starts on the 18 September. Once a school is registered they will also then be able to request more information on this four year programme. This will build a network of schools and colleges who are demonstrating a commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic values, using the Games to drive change and meet existing objectives.  An interactive website will go live on this day and will support children and young people in learning about and exploring these values - providing films, updated news and flexible resources dedicated to both students and practitioners and offering them a chance to interact with and be involved in the delivery of the London 2012 Games.


The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 2012 Steering Group are really keen that schools, right across the sub region, take part in the Paralympic Handover celebrations and London 2012 Education Programme and that the widest range of children and young people have the chance to participate.

Key Dates:

16 June – Paralympic Handover online resource goes live – www.london2012.com/paralympichandover

17 September – Paralympic Handover Celebrations

18 September – Launch of London 2012 Education Programme and interactive website

Actions for schools and colleges:

Register your schools details at www.london2012.com/paralympichandover to participate in Paralympic handover celebrations.

Send details of activities that you have planned for Paralympic Handover to Chris Kirkland - chris.kirkland@staffordshire.gov.uk and 01785 854595. These will be submitted to the London 2012 Education Team and the best may receive a visit from a Paralympian in the Autumn term and national press and media coverage.

If schools would like to nominate a member of staff as the contact for future communications and information related to London 2012, please forward details to Chris Kirkland.

Chris Kirkland
Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games
T: 01785 854595
E: chris.kirkland@staffordshire.gov.uk