Lewisham and Greenwich pupils receive more than 6,000 free Olympic tickets (From News Shopper)

Lewisham and Greenwich pupils receive more than 6,000 free Olympic tickets

11:33am Friday 10th February 2012 in Education News By Nina Massey

WHILE thousands of people missed out on Olympic tickets, more than 6,000 Lewisham and Greenwich schoolchildren will witness the sporting spectacular.

In an initiative set up by London Mayor Boris Johnson and Olympic organisers LOCOG, 94 per cent of schools in Greenwich and 96 per cent in Lewisham will receive tickets.

The free tickets have been allocated as part of the London 2012 Get Set education programme - a website encouraging kids to embrace the Olympic spirit through games, fact sheets, films and news articles.

Schools will run their own competitions to decide which pupils attend the games.

Mr Johnson has promised to give one in eight London schoolchildren a seat at the Olympic or Paralympic Games.

He said: "These are London’s games so it’s only right the next generation are right at the heart of the action.

"Watching some of world’s greatest athletes reach for gold, these young Londoners will form a huge part of what could be the most enduring legacy of these Games - a generation inspired and motivated to achieve their best in the classroom and out on the playing field."

Baring Primary School in Linchmere Road, Lee, is one Lewisham school to have been allocated tickets.

Headteacher Diane Brewer said: "It's fantastic.We are absolutely delighted and the kids will love it."

The tickets, sponsored by Prestige Hospitality, will enable youngsters aged 10 to 18 to attend events such as Beach Volleyball at Horse Guards Parade, Archery at Lord's Cricket Ground, and Olympic football at Wembley Stadium.

Ninety-three Lewisham schools will share 3,201 tickets while 90 Greenwich schools will share 3,015 tickets.