As the nation prepares to mark the anniversary of London 2012, a landmark Olympic legacy project has quietly reached an impressive milestone.Team GB‘s Get Set education program, launched in the run-up to the Games to inspire young people through Olympic and Paralympic values, has now engaged 30,000 schools across the UK. From primary classrooms to secondary sports halls, the scheme has woven the spirit of London 2012 into daily school life-encouraging pupils to get active, aim higher and participate in their communities. This milestone not only underscores the lasting impact of the Games, but also raises fresh questions about how sport, education and national identity intersect a decade on.
Expanding the Olympic legacy how the Get Set education programme reached 30000 schools nationwide
The journey from a pilot classroom initiative to a staple of school life across the UK has been driven by a clear mission: to embed the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games into everyday learning. Through ready-made lesson plans, assemblies and challenge packs, the programme enabled teachers to connect curriculum subjects with stories of perseverance, teamwork and fair play from Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes. Flexible digital resources, printable activities and video content meant that whether a school was in a major city or a remote rural community, it could access the same high-quality materials at no cost. This inclusive model helped the programme establish a presence in primary, secondary and special schools alike, making Olympic ideals part of the language of the classroom.
Growth was accelerated by building strong links with local authorities, school sports partnerships and youth organisations, which acted as regional champions and encouraged neighbouring schools to join. Staff training webinars and in-person workshops equipped educators to adapt content for diverse settings-from PE lessons and tutor time to cross-curricular projects. To support this expansion, the programme offered a clear value proposition to schools:
- Curriculum-ready resources aligned with key stages and subjects
- Real athlete stories that boosted pupil engagement and aspiration
- Whole-school activities such as themed weeks and sports days
- Recognition schemes that celebrated schools’ commitment to Olympic values
| Phase | Focus | Reach |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | Early adopters & pilot resources | 5,000 schools |
| Momentum | Digital rollout & regional partners | 18,000 schools |
| Nationwide | Whole-school engagement & legacy focus | 30,000+ schools |
Inside the classroom practical ways teachers are using Team GB resources to inspire pupils
From reception to sixth form, classrooms are turning Olympic dreams into everyday learning. Teachers are weaving Team GB lesson plans into core subjects: in maths, pupils crunch medal tallies and split race times into fractions; in English, they script mock post-race interviews, sharpening speaking and listening skills while exploring themes of resilience and fair play. PE departments are using athlete training diaries to get pupils planning and tracking their own fitness goals, while citizenship lessons tap into stories of inclusion, diversity and mental strength from Olympians and Paralympians. Many schools are also decorating corridors with pupil-designed posters celebrating Olympic and Paralympic Values, turning walls into living galleries of ambition and teamwork.
- Role-play press conferences using Team GB athlete profiles to develop oracy and critical questioning.
- Mini “school Games” events where pupils apply scoring systems and data handling from maths lessons.
- Values-based assemblies drawing on Get Set videos to spark debate about perseverance and respect.
- Cross-curricular projects linking science (nutrition, biomechanics) with real training routines from athletes.
| Subject | Activity | Skill Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | Analyse relay split times | Data handling |
| English | Write athlete diaries | Creative writing |
| PE | Set personal best targets | Goal setting |
| PSHE | Debate sporting ethics | Critical thinking |
Measuring real impact from participation and wellbeing to academic performance in Get Set schools
Behind the headline figure lies a growing body of evidence that the programme is not just popular, but powerful. Internal tracking shows schools using the resources most intensively are reporting sharper gains in student confidence and classroom focus, with teachers pointing to sport-themed projects as a catalyst for better behavior and stronger peer relationships. In many classrooms, Olympic and Paralympic values are now woven into daily routines, helping pupils to build emotional resilience and a sense of belonging. Teachers highlight that when young people feel part of something bigger, they are more likely to turn up, join in and stay engaged.
Across primary and secondary settings, staff report a ripple effect that starts on the playground and ends in the exam hall. Schools involved in the initiative commonly note:
- Improved attendance on days featuring programme activities
- Higher participation in clubs and enrichment sessions
- Calmer classrooms after values-based discussions or assemblies
- Stronger motivation in core subjects when learning is linked to real athletes and real stories
| Area | Typical Change Reported |
|---|---|
| Pupil participation | More students trying new sports and roles |
| Wellbeing | Fewer low-mood reports after active sessions |
| Academic focus | Longer on-task time in lessons |
Looking ahead recommendations to sustain and deepen Olympic values in education beyond the anniversary
As schools look beyond the anniversary, the challenge is to embed the spirit of London 2012 not as a seasonal project but as a constant thread running through assemblies, lessons and playground culture. That means treating Olympic and Paralympic values as a framework for decision-making: from how pupils tackle group work to how they respond to setbacks, success and difference. Senior leaders can weave these principles into behaviour policies, house systems and recognition schemes, while classroom teachers use them to shape enquiry-based projects in subjects as varied as PE, citizenship, history and art. Partnerships with local sports clubs, national governing bodies and athlete mentors will also be key, ensuring that the energy of major events continues to trickle down into school corridors long after the flame has moved on.
- Refresh the curriculum with annually updated, sport-linked projects tied to global issues such as equality, sustainability and mental health.
- Invest in teacher training that connects character education with Olympic narratives of resilience, respect and fair play.
- Create pupil leadership roles – “values ambassadors” who help design campaigns,assemblies and peer-support initiatives.
- Use data and storytelling to track impact,combining attendance,participation and attainment figures with pupil voice.
| Focus Area | Practical Step | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum | Embed a values-led project in each year group | Next academic year |
| Staff Advancement | Inset session on Olympic values in pedagogy | Autumn term |
| Pupil Voice | Launch a student “values council” | Within 6 months |
| Community Links | Annual festival with local clubs and athletes | Every summer |
Insights and Conclusions
As the nation looks back on the legacy of London 2012, the continued growth of Get Set offers a tangible reminder that the Games’ impact reaches far beyond a single summer of sport.With 30,000 schools now engaged, the programme is not only celebrating a milestone; it is indeed reinforcing a long-term commitment to using Olympic and Paralympic values to inspire the next generation.
In classrooms and playgrounds across the UK, the spirit of Team GB and ParalympicsGB is being translated into everyday lessons about resilience, respect and ambition. If the success of Get Set is any indication, the story of London 2012 is still being written-this time, by the young people whose aspirations it continues to shape.
