Press Release: Coventry schools to hold London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay

Thousands of school children are being given a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in their own torch relay and celebrate London 2012 coming to the city.
The Coventry Schools Torch Relay project was announced during a special education workshop at the Ricoh Arena to show how schools can use the excitement of London 2012 to inspire pupils.
In the build up to the Olympic Torch arriving in Coventry on July 1, 2012 schools are being invited to hold their very own torch relay. 
The project is being organised by Coventry City Council and more than 50,000 children and 5,000 staff could be involved in the project.
Every child in participating schools should carry its torch at some point during the relay which must take place between July 25 and 29. A small amount of funding will be available for schools to purchase materials to build their own torch.
The plans were unveiled during a special London 2012 Get Set Education workshop which informed schools how they can use the London 2012 Games as an educational tool within their classroom by utilising the free resources from the London 2012 Get Set Education programme.
Cllr Lynnette Kelly, Coventry City Council cabinet member for education, said: “The Coventry Schools Torch relay is a brilliant idea and a great way of making sure every single child in the city is included in Coventry’s 2012 celebrations and has something positive to remember.
 “There is a massive focus, even more so than usual, on achievement in schools and one of the key things about achievement is that if you can get children fired up about a particular subject it can help them achieve in other areas.
“The Olympics and sport is an area children do not need to be experts in, but they can enjoy it and apply it to other subjects.
“This is why we want as many children as possible involved in the London 2012 Get Set Education Programme.”
More than 50 Coventry schools have already signed up for the Get Set network - a special community of schools and colleges which are demonstrating a commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values: respect, friendship, equality, excellence, inspiration, courage and determination.
Any school or college in the UK can become a member of the Get Set network and receive rewards and recognition from London 2012.
Paralympic skier Anna Turney was also in attendance to share her experiences of how the Games inspired her to get back into sport after suffering paralysing injuries.
 She said: “The Olympics and Paralympics provide a fantastic opportunity to motivate young people and the opportunities available through the Get Set network make it a fantastic resource.
“There’s an obvious sporting legacy beyond London 2012 – but it is not just about sport.
“It is also about celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic values and they transcend everything we do both within and outside of sport.”
For more information on the Coventry Schools Torch relay or the Get Set Education Network visit www.coventry.gov.uk/london2012.

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