-UPDATE- Hartford High School have just recently returned from Malaysia where Mrs J Harries and Mr C Story attended the International Inspiration Project.

Hartford High School in Northwich have just returned from a visit to Ipoh, Malaysia as part of London 2012 International Inspiration, a key strand of the international legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for children and young people around the world.

This is the first time that an Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee has launched a programme like this with the London Games as the catalyst for this ambitious engagement through sport programme.

Launched by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in India last year, International Inspiration uses the power of sport to change the lives of children and young people around the world. From Azerbaijan to Zambia, International Inspiration empowers young people, many in difficult situations in their countries, to become leaders in their schools and communities, building their confidence and self esteem, as well as encouraging them to realise their ambition and full potential. They then become powerful advocates for change, helping others to improve their lives.  

School partnerships are an integral part of International Inspiration, providing an opportunity for teachers, children and young people to develop and share innovative approaches to PE, sport and play in the classroom and their local community as well as learn about and understand each other’s cultures, experiences and international development issues. Hartford High School is one of 150 schools in the UK currently linked to a school overseas through International Inspiration.

Seb Coe Chair of London 2012 said: “Our vision is to use the power of the Games to inspire change – and changing lives is the driving force behind our plans. We took a very clear promise to Singapore – to encourage the youth of the world to choose sport – and Hartford High School’s involvement is another key step towards delivering that promise. Sport can be a great force for good, and the International Inspiration programme will play a real role in improving the lives of young people around the world through sport.”  

Mrs Julia Harries (Director of Sport) and Mr Chris Story (Partnership Development Manager) spent a week visiting schools in the State of Perak, Malaysia.

It was a very busy week meeting teachers, headteachers and government ministers to share good practice and to develop an innovative approach in the use of Physical education, sport and play.

Julia and Chris were based in SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainum School, a full boarding school under government Smart School Project. The school has a population of 645 students and 57 teachers. We had the opportunity to meet many students and to share their sporting experiences. We also taught lessons which the pupils enjoyed and we learnt new sports such as Sepak Takraw. Pupils at Hartford High School will learn to play this exciting and very challenging game.

In 5 weeks time two members of staff from the school will come to visit Hartford High to share our PE programmes, our culture and the wider provision of sport. The schools will then produce a three year partnership plan to link the schools to work together to enhance the educational experience of young people using PE and sport as the vehicle.