The Hampshire Schools’ Challenge

Over the last few months 16 secondary schools have been battling it out to develop the best project to meet this year’s Hampshire School’s Challenge, which is based on the London 2012 themes, to secure their place at the Grand Final of the competition and win tickets to the Paralympic Games.

The online Community Vote involved over 7000 Hampshire residents watching short videos about each of the projects and then voting to determine which teams should have a place at the Grand Final.

Community Vote determines the Five Finalist Teams

The majority of votes cast by residents in the online Community Vote went to the following five schools:

• The Connaught School, Aldershot
• Cove School, Farnborough
• Crestwood College, Eastleigh
• Icknield Special School, Andover
• Swanmore College of Technology, Near Bishops Waltham

Congratulations to the finalist teams and to all those schools who entered this year’s challenge, all of whom have begun excellent London 2012 inspired projects to help their communities.

About the Challenge

Schools were asked to use the inspiration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and their values to design and deliver a project or event which embraced two or more of the London 2012 Inspire Themes and which would create a lasting legacy for their chosen community.

Benefits of the competition

The County Council’s is proud to host this competition as it is enabling more young people to feel part of a once in a lifetime event – the London 2012 Games! The competition has encouraged more schools to join the London 2012 ‘Get Set’ Network and benefit from a range of London 2012 materials and other related opportunities.

About the Grand Final

This event, which will take place in Winchester on Wednesday 11 July 2012, will be run along the lines of the hit TV show, ‘Dragon’s Den’. Pupils representing the five finalist schools will attempt to persuade a panel of judges, including two Paralympic gold medalists, about the merits of their projects. The audience will include local dignitaries, fellow pupils and friends of the schools involved.

Prizes

Confirmed prizes include tickets to the Paralympic Games, including the sought after finals for the Paralympic Athletics; a great day out at Calshot Activity Centre; and a number of Culture All Passports, giving access to a wide range of Hampshire-based visitor attractions. In addition, all finalists will receive various 'goodies' and each pupil involved in the Schools Challenge will qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of their hard work.

If you need more information please contact sue.sylvester@hants.gov.uk