Video: Peterborough pupils sign up for signing and singing record
HUNDREDS of Peterborough children sang and signed their way into the record books on Wednesday, February 8 by joining thousands of youngsters across the country in a musical challenge.
At exactly 2.45pm, pupils and staff from Middleton Primary School and William Law Primary School took part in a national attempt to smash their way into Guinness Book of World Records for the most people signing and singing at the same time.
Organisers believe the record – which was set by a similar initiative last year – was raised from 94,000 people to more than 130,000 people, although the final figure has yet to be verified.
The attempt to get into the record books involved pupils signing and singing to a specially written song called Sign To Sing and was part of an initiative from national charity Sign Health.
There were 239 children and 39 staff from Middleton Primary School, in Middleton, Bretton, who took part in the event.
Pamela Rodgers, Key Stage Two co-ordinator, said the school had been thrilled to be involved.
She said: “Our school is a centre for children who are deaf or have hearing problems, so we were delighted to take part.
“Children come from all over the city to us and deaf children have one-to-one help from a teaching assistant, who signs for them.
“Other children in the class pick it up and are able to sign really well by the time they leave.
“We heard about the event and signed up to take part. The children learned the signing and words really quickly - it only took three assemblies.
“It was really good fun and everyone enjoyed it.
“We will be very proud to have helped break the record when it is confirmed.”
Liz Cundy, class teacher at William Law Primary School, in Twelvetrees Avenue, Werrington, said: “We had 176 people in the hall taking part in the event. The children have been learning the song in singing practice and have picked up a few bits of sign language along the way.
“We will be very pleased if we have helped break a world record.”
Sign Health, the charity behind the project, said they were already looking to next year’s event when they hope to break the quarter of a million barrier.
Lesley Gorton, events manager at Sign Health, said: “Next year’s event will take place on February 6.
“It is a good project, as we encourage children to raise £1 for the charity as well.
“The next generation are the people who we need to get to understand the importance of sign language.
“It is not just sign language, but non-verbal communication, is crucial in every walk of life.”
For more information about the project or to sign a school up to take part in the 2013 event, visit www.sign2sing.org.uk
FACTFILE... on British Sign Language
IT is thought that up to 70,000 people use British Sign Language in the United Kingdom, and it was recognised as a minority language by the Government in 2003.
It uses a combination of handshapes and movements, lip patterns, facial expressions and shoulder movements. The language differs from country to country, with Ireland, America and New Zealand each having their own variations.
As with all languages, there are regional dialects, with at least 10 different variations for the word ‘holiday’ in the UK.
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