A NOTTS school is preparing to meet athletes from Japan's 2012 Olympic team next month.

South Wolds Community School and Language College, in Keyworth, will be helping the competitors acclimatise to British weather while they are based at Loughborough University for the London Games.

The partnership forms part of the school's Musubi Project.

It has seen pupils organising and leading educational workshops and events which focus on Japanese language and culture.

Anne Rajakumar, head of East Asian languages at South Wolds, said: "Musubi is a fantastic collaboration, the thing that makes this project so special is that the children take all the responsibility for what goes on. A project like this shows the children exactly what they are capable of and we are very proud of them.

"The word Musubi is Japanese and is a type of Knot. It symbolises the spirit of co-operation and working together."

Pupils met Notts' Olympian and badminton star Anthony Clark who came to the school in October while he was facing Japan at Loughborough University.

The 2008 European mixed doubles champion was joined by fellow British international Ben Stawski and Loughborough University's Tom Armstrong and Mike Adams.

The players put on a demonstration of badminton basics, while South Wolds pupils taught them key calls in Japanese and umpired the demonstration match.

Pupils also organised a Primary Musubi Day at Clarement Primary School, Carrington, last year, as well as a University Musubi day at Loughborough University.

Students from Campion College, Northamptonshire, also attended.

Ella Van Der Zwart, of Keyworth, with Charlotte Smailes, of Kinoulton, have helped co-ordinate the Musubi project.

The 16-year-old pupils have already visited Japan and have been learning the language for nearly five years.

Ella said: "We have really enjoyed organising the workshops for other schools and everyone who has attended has got a lot out of them.

"We are now hoping to meet some of the Japanese athletes next month."

Charlotte said: "By the time of the Olympics in 2012, we will be working with eight schools and hope to have ''Super Musubi'' events."

The project is supported by staff from the East Midlands Development Agency who have helped arrange Musubi events.

michael.greenwell@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk