By Katie Falkingham, Sportsbeat

PUPILS at a Stroud school are counting down to this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games by teaching new sporting skills to the local community.

Students at Marling School are working hard as part of the Get Set for Community Action programme, through which they have brought wheelchair rugby to the attention of Gloucester Rugby Club.

Created by the British Olympic Foundation and British Paralympic Association, and made possible due to the Big Lottery Fund, the UK-wide Get Set for Community Action programme aims to help thousands of 14-19 years old to strengthen relationships between young people and their communities.

After first taking up the sport as a result of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, ten students will now be trained up by Gloucester Rugby to deliver the activity in local schools.

And for head of PE Mark Nicholson, the opportunities offered through the school’s involvement with the Get Set project has given the students skills that will benefit them both now and in the future.

“We have worked with South Wales Pirates since 2012 but we have always had a connection with disability sport,” said Mark.

“Gloucester Rugby got in contact with me because they wanted to get wheelchair rugby into schools and wondered if we wanted to get involved with the project.

“As a result, our students are going to be trained up by Gloucester to deliver the project at our sister school next door in the next month or so.

“It has educated our students socially so now they know there is no difference of the expectations of a disabled athlete versus an able-bodied athlete.

“They have a good understanding of society now and they see beyond the wheelchair when they meet disabled people, and it has improved their communication skills and confidence greatly.”

With the Olympic and Paralympic Games now less than 50 days away, excitement is building at Marling as they prepare for a sporting summer.

And with ideas for celebrating the Games bubbling away, it looks to be a fun-filled summer term for the students.

“We have no plans set in stone because at the moment it’s quite hectic with exams, but I think we will be doing something similar to what we did in 2012,” said Mark.

“We went really big on it then and invited five past Olympians and two current Olympians along, as well as Paralympic archer Mel Clarke.

“This year, we will be promoting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in lessons as well as putting on events for the students.”

Get Set for Community Action is a new UK-wide programme for young people and their communities created by the British Olympic Foundation and British Paralympic Association and made possible thanks to the Big Lottery Fund. To find out more visit: www.getsetaction.org.uk