ethos
positive education for the future
Ledbury Primary
School Olympic
Torch Project
Ledbury Primary School’s unique approach to the
fabulous Olympic summer!
The passing of the Olympic Torch through
Ledbury on 24th May 2012 would be a
special event for the Town. Our inspiration for
the project came from the desire to extend
this experience for the children by involving
them in a memorable community event beginning with a relay by local school
children carrying our own Olympic Torch.
All children at Ledbury Primary School were
invited to design a Torch representing the
Olympic Values and Ledbury Primary School’s
Values. Our original concept was to
commission local blacksmith, Stephen
McRae, to make the Torch to the winning
design. However, thanks to the funding from
the Arts Council, we were able to develop the
project into an experience which far
exceeded our aspirations.
Many of the children’s designs incorporated
our Values, particularly love, unity and
caring - portrayed by smiles, hugs, hearts and
intertwined hands. As these same values kept
coming through the designs, Stephen
suggested that, rather than choosing one
winning design, he should interpret in his
work all the ideas put forward by the
children.
24
8th May, The Project Begins

Stephen introduced himself to the children in
school assemblies. The teachers and
children became his blacksmith workshop,
the forge and the tools. We learned about
what happens to metal when it is heated and
the noises we would experience on our visits
to the blacksmith’s workshop!
include in the Torch. Stephen loved the
feeling of togetherness and the shapes made
by the children hugging each other.
The Design Workshops
Using the work produced by 1CM as the
starting point for the design workshops,
Stephen worked first with our younger
children. Unity was at the forefront of the
workshop. The children depicted this Value
by illustrating people of all nationalities
joining hands, border