South-west primary school to receive recognition for languages

A primary school in Devon in south-west England has gained recognition from the Italian government for promoting overseas languages and cultures.

Newport Community School was due to receive the Changing Schools in Europe award from Italian education minister Maria Grazia in Rome as a result of the close relationship forged between Newport and the town of Susa in north-west Italy, reports the North Devon Gazette.

Children from Newport Community School and a primary school in Susa have been visiting each other on a regular basis for nearly ten years.

Andy Cotton, headteacher of Newport Community School, told the paper: "It's a really great honour to be recognised for any award but particularly special and quite unique to receive one from a government overseas."

He added that due to the relative isolation felt by children in Devon compared to other parts of the UK, getting experience of foreign cultures is especially important.

In other education news, a group of newly-recruited teachers at Woodcot Primary School in Bridgemary in Gosport, Hampshire, have helped turn the school into one of the best in the region, reports the News.

Posted by Alan Douglas.




Published On 10/12/2009