Eye on Education: World record sign2sing event

THEY have signed up to try and break a world record!

And today pupils from schools across Kirklees will join 50,000 nationwide trying to break the world record for the most people singing and signing a song simultaneously.

Children from Grange Moor Primary, Spring Grove Junior, Infant and Nursery School at Springwood, Christ Church Woodhouse School at Deighton and Paddock, Clayton West and Upper Denby Schools will be among those making the attempt at 2.45pm.

The challenge requires them to learn the British Sign Language signs and words for The New Seekers 1970s song I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing.

Jayne Fenton, who teaches Class 1 at Grange Moor Primary, was keen for her school to take part for both personal and professional reasons.

She said: “I myself am a parent of two deaf children, so I know a lot about the problems faced by deaf people.

“I hope that this record attempt is not only a lot of fun, but does something towards raising deaf awareness throughout the country.”

Jayne’s children Keir, seven, and Niamh, three, both sign and speak. She is now training to be a teacher of the deaf after gaining a level two qualification in British Sign Language.

Those taking part have received a DVD to practice the song and have also benefited from the Ollie the monkey signing books which are used by the deaf community.

They have spent the past three weeks preparing themselves for the event.