Minister helps pupils song sign a record!

CELEBRATING after breaking a sign language world record are, from left, Chantelle Fitton, Brandon Slingsby, Casey Hobson, Tobias Craig, schools minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry and Francesca Cook

NEW Schools Minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry became a record breaker when she chose Oldham for her first official visit.

She joined in with New Bridge pupils yesterday as they helped to break the record for the number of people simultaneously performing sign language to a song.

It was her first ministerial visit to a school since she was appointed 18 days ago and approximately 20,000 pupils, teachers and staff across England and Wales sang and signed “Sunshine in my Heart”.

The world record attempt was organised by Afasic — a charity for young people with speech, language and communication needs — and Ms McCarthy-Fry also unveiled a new scheme to look at ways of increasing the provision and status of British Sign Language.

The minister enjoyed a short tour of the Hollinwood school which caters for children with special educational needs (SEN) and told head teacher Graham Quinn: “I would love to come back. I would love to really spend some time here.”

She met Year 7 pupils who used sign language to tell her about what they like and said to the Oldham Evening Chronicle: “This school was recommended as one of the shining examples of SEN education. The atmosphere is fantastic, the enthusiasm of these children and the staff.”

Ms McCarthy-Fry also supported Oldham’s multi-million pound plans to replace five high schools with three academies run by sponsors.

Academies are a flagship Government policy for turning around failing schools and she added: “I think it is important we have a range of provision. We have to get away from the idea that one size fits all in education.”