PUPILS at a Flintshire school have embraced learning a new language, with added flair.

As part of the Curriculum for Wales, all Year 5 and 6 children are expected to learn an international language.

British Sign Language (BSL) is recognised as an international language, and has become part of school life for pupils at Ysgol Mynydd since September 2023.

Year 5/6 teacher Kay Ridding said: "We have used sign supported English across the school in the past and pupils have learnt sign supported songs for Christmas concerts.

"Some children in the Language Resource Centres on each of our sites use some aspects of Makaton.

"There is evidence to show linking movements with learning something can support pupils, and we've already seen how BSL and Cymraeg are supporting each other."

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At the start of the autumn term, the primary school has set up a BSL choir, made up of Year 5 and 6 pupils. There are now about 60 members in the choir.

Six staff members attended a six-week night class with the CSSEF (Chloe and Sophie Special Ear Fund), and the charity also visited the school, when every pupil was gifted a story book after a special assembly.

Mrs Ridding said: "They worked hard throughout the autumn to learn, practice and perfect a song show they were able to take out into the community in the weeks before Christmas, as well as perform in our carol service."

Ysgol Mynydd Isa British Sign Language choir in action.

Ysgol Mynydd Isa British Sign Language choir in action.

Deputy headteacher of the junior site, Sian Salisbury, said: "We already had a school choir, then set up the BSL choir with teacher Claudine Moreton, and she has so many children joining all the time.

"It's been really successful. The children are enjoying and embracing it. And combining with Welsh has really supported the development of Welsh in the school."

Mrs Ridding added: "We are very excited for the next step of our BSL choir journey when we welcome the Abi Project from the Centre of Sign-Sight-Sound in Colwyn Bay to our school.

"As part of the project, some of our children will have a BSL lesson once a month from a BSL user.

"These children will be our BSL ambassadors and will share their learning with others."