Rochdale school awarded grant after MP supports application

St.John's RC Primary School in Rochdale has been awarded £2,000 in order to improve English literacy skills at the school.

It comes after Paul Rowen, MP for Rochdale, supported the application for the grant. The school will now use the money to obtain guided reading books and notebook computers for its pupils.

Mr.Rowen, who attended St.John's Primary School as a child, nominated the school for the award when he became aware of a grant that was available for primary schools.

The award was sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (WCCA), of which John Lawson and Co are members of.

85% of St.John's pupils speak English or are learning English as an additional language.

Mr Rowen said: "This is fantastic news for St.John's. As an ex-pupil myself and as the MP for Rochdale, I felt it was my duty to support the school's bid to obtain this grant. I'm delighted for the school who were the deserved winners of this award."

Mr.Rowen attended a school assembly on Friday 13th October, where the cheque was presented to the staff and pupils.

He added: "I'm really pleased for the children in particular, as they'll be able to use the latest modern equipment as an added addition to continue to improve their literacy skills."

Mr. Jed Morgan, head teacher of St.John's Primary said: "I'm delighted that our school won this award. The opportunity to continue to improve the literacy skills of our pupils was too good to turn down. This grant will significantly improve the learning of our pupils."

The prize was awarded by John Lawson Wild & Co, a chartered accountancy firm based on Drake Street.

Mr. Lawson said: "Given that there are 26 languages which are spoken at this school, we felt that it was appropriate to award this grant to St.John's and I'm confident that the school will utilise the equipment in order to improve the pupils' literacy skills."