9:04am Monday 16th August 2010
By Simon Moss
A PROJECT spearheaded by two Basingstoke schools has helped the county land a top award.
The Hampshire Young Interpreter scheme, where pupils train to become interpreters to support fellow classmates learning English as an additional language, and another county scheme have earned a European Award for Languages.
King’s Furlong Infant School and Nursery and Fairfields Primary School both helped set up the interpreter initiative which sees interpreters take on added responsibility while helping new learners to develop.
More than 20 schools countywide have opted to take part in the scheme, which is running as part of a wider initiative involving different cultures in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics.
Hampshire education chiefs have also rolled out a second project offering the chance to sample other languages.
Community language taster sessions have been trialled at various schools including Costello Technology College and Fort Hill Community School in Basingstoke.
Councillor David Kirk, executive lead member for children’s services, said: “I am delighted that our Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service has won this award.
“The two projects do so much to help children from different countries settle in to school life as well as promote better relationships in the wider community.
“Both projects reinforce our determination that every child should enjoy, participate and achieve making the most of educational and recreational opportunities in their community.”
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