The Jurassic Coast and the National Trust are launching their flagship education programme to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games 

The Big Jurassic Classroom aims to help all school children in Dorset and East Devon learn about their local World Heritage Site through the Olympic and Paralympic Values.

The programme will be officially launched on Monday 11 July at the Dorset Olympic Education Conference at the Portland Heights Hotel. 

The main aim of the Big Jurassic Classroom is to inspire teachers across Dorset and East Devon to use their local World Heritage Site as a tool for learning across a wide range of subjects at primary and secondary level.

All schools in Dorset and East Devon are being offered a free two-hour teacher training session by the Jurassic Coast Team.  Teachers will be shown how they can link elements of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site to the Olympic Values of excellence, friendship and respect, and the Paralympic Values of determination, inspiration, courage and equality.

Every school that registers for the programme will also receive a free Big Jurassic Classroom teachers' guide, a digital logo to put on their school website and pack of goodies to get them started.

Schools will also be encouraged to get out and about along the Jurassic Coast to visit museums, visitor centres and field studies centres.  The National Trust is keen to welcome schools to their unique coastal properties like Branscombe, Burton Bradstock, Golden Cap and Dancing Ledge.

For schools unable to get to the Jurassic Coast, the National Trust is offering its Jurassic Coastin' Van for schools to hire.  The van comes fully kitted out with hands-on activities designed for primary schools.

The Big Jurassic Classroom is the official schools education programme for the Jurassic Coast Earth Festival 2012.  The festival will showcase a wide range of educational, arts and science events and activities along the Jurassic Coast.

The programme, funded through the National Trust's Neptune Fund, has been granted the Inspire Mark, which recognises projects directly inspired by London 2012.

Lord Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, said:

"The Big Jurassic Classroom is encouraging teachers to fulfil their potential.  I am proud that with the help of partners such as the Jurassic Coast and the National Trust are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in schools across Dorset and East Devon."

Toni Coombs, Dorset County Council's Cabinet member for Children's Services, said:

"As Dorset is a host county for the London 2012 Games, we want children and young people living here to engage with and be inspired by the Games and in particular the sailing events. I am delighted to see that the Big Jurassic Classroom is leading the way in helping teachers in schools across communities in Dorset and East Devon take part with this exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Helen Mann, National Trust Property Manager for West Dorset, said:

"The Big Jurassic Classroom offers a unique opportunity for schools in this special year to learn about how the National Trust manages its coastal sites and places along the Jurassic Coast. We are delighted to be working with the Jurassic Coast partnership on this project and also to have the chance to get involved with celebrating the London 2012 Games."

For more information on how to get involved, schools can contact the Jurassic Coast Team by calling (01305) 224401 or emailing bjc@jurassiccoast.com