BBC World Class

The BBC continues its commitment to learning with a series of assemblies for primary schools

Continuing the BBC’s commitment to learning - in association with the British Council - in the build up to the 2012 Games it has been announced that a series of weekly specialist assemblies will be made available for primary schools across the country. The BBC World Class initiative aims to leave a lasting legacy of the games by broadening the horizons of school children in the UK.

The new assemblies, which form only part of the initiative, offer teachers video clips, teaching notes and discussion topics to help stimulate children and engage them in the world of sport whilst discussing some of the issues that face modern athletes. 2012 Assemblies celebrate the build up to the London Olympics and Paralympics with films from BBC World Class schools, World Olympic Dreams athletes and topical features from the Schools World Service.

As mentioned, another facet of this scheme is the Schools World Service. This service is borne of an agreement between BBC World Class and the British Council which will see them co-produce topical stories for teachers around the world to use as educational materials in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The project aims to increase pupils understanding of international stories, how they are affecting the wider world and engage them in debate and dialogue focused on difficult subject matter.

The pilot for the scheme began back in April with specialist films made for both primary and secondary schools about the Egyptian revolution to give pupils a firsthand account from some of Cairo’s school children. More recently, BBC Breakfast reporter Jenny Hill went to see how pupils at a school in Kesennuma, Japan have been affected by the tsunami and how they are starting to rebuild their lives.

Amanda Farnsworth, BBC London 2012, Project Executive said: “Given the ongoing success of BBC World Class, we’re delighted to be able to extend the initiative even further through Schools World Service. Schools everywhere will now be given a taste of the international dimension and if they already have a partner they provide fresh content every month to share and discuss together. We want to put young people right at the heart of our coverage of London 2012 and this is another great way for schools to get involved and make an inspirational connection.” 

To help teachers and schools to make the most of 2012, BBC Learning has brought all the BBC Schools 2012 activity together in one place. The portal bbc.co.uk/teach2012 is a single point where teachers can find information and discover all the 2012 resources available to them.