Schools chosen to perform across all four Ceremonies have been selected from the six Host Boroughs, are schools that are engaged in the official London 2012 education programme ‘Get Set’ and have incorporated the Olympic and Paralympic Values into their curriculum.
There are five schools from Barking and Dagenham taking part in the Olympic Closing Ceremony, these are; Dagenham Park Church of England School, Jo Richardson Community School, Barking Abbey - Specialist Sports and Humanities College, William Ford Church of England Junior School and Roding Primary School.
Barking and Dagenham also has one school taking part in the Paralympic Opening Ceremony; Trinity School.
All schools are a part of the ‘Get Set’ network and have been working on projects based on the London 2012 Games, learning about and supporting the many countries taking part. Many of the borough’s schools will be lining the streets and cheering on the Olympic Flame when the Torch Relay comes to Barking and Dagenham on Sunday 22 July.
Barking and Dagenham were involved in an audition process for the Olympic Closing and Paralympic Opening Ceremonies involving children aged between 9 and 11 years and 11 and 16 years. The children will perform in the Olympic Closing Ceremony which takes place on the 12 August and the Paralympic Opening Ceremony which takes place on the 29 August and will be watched by 80,000 people in the Olympic Stadium and a worldwide TV audience.
For the selected children there will be between 15 and 20 rehearsals taking place in East London at London 2012 Ceremonies rehearsal sites and finally in the Olympic Stadium. LOCOG is providing transport between the schools and the rehearsal venues for the young people.
Seb Coe, London 2012 Chair, said: ‘Being part of the Ceremonies is a great way of inspiring young people, I’m delighted school children from Barking and Dagenham will be part of the Olympic Closing and Paralympic Opening Ceremonies and help tell our story to the world. The students involved will have an incredible experience which will build their confidence and a sense of pride in themselves, their friends, family, school and wider community.’
Stella Manzie, Chief Executive at Barking and Dagenham Council said: “We are thrilled to be playing yet another hugely important part in delivering a brilliantly successful Olympic and Paralympic Games for London. I am delighted that so many of our schools are involved in the opening and closing ceremonies and would particularly like to mention Trinity School which is taking part in the Paralympic Opening Ceremony and is an outstanding special school with a great reputation for performing arts.
“The eyes of the world will be on our city during the Games, and never more so than during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. They promise to be an incredible showcase – not only for the capital but for the whole of the UK. They will be gripping and awe-inspiring but they will also be complex and as a result, need an enormous amount of rehearsal and technical expertise to put together.
“Hosting the rehearsals site is yet another contribution Barking and Dagenham is making as one of the six Host Boroughs. Not only are we very proud to be the location for so many Games Time Training Venues for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, we’re also really excited about the plans we’re putting together to welcome the Olympic Flame.”