Schools receive special award for embracing the Cornish language

Primary schools that have been embracing the Cornish language have been recognised during a special awards ceremony.

Teachers from across Cornwall gathered at Kresen Kernow to celebrate their involvement in the Go Cornish for Primary Schools programme on Friday, March 3.

Since launching in June 2021, over 40 primary schools in Cornwall have signed up for the programme, and more than half of those have started engaging in Cornish language delivery, using the Go Cornish learning resources. These schools are scattered across the length and breadth of Cornwall; from Otterham near Davidstow to Pendeen in West Penwith; from Grade Ruan on The Lizard to Coads Green near Launceston.

Kate Kennally, Chief Executive at Cornwall Council, Pol Hodge, Grand Bard of Cornwall, and Will Coleman, Artistic Director at Golden Tree Productions. (Image: Cornwall Council)

During the celebratory event, four of the schools (Trewirgie Infants & Nursery School, Coads Green Primary School, Treloweth School, and St Meriadoc CE Junior Academy) received their Bronze Award, after enjoying themselves over the last year embedding Cornish language in day-to-day school activities. The award is valid for two years, and the intention is that schools will keep up their Cornish language beyond this and progress to the next level in future.

Recognition Awards were presented to representatives from the following schools for a range of achievements: 'Askorrans Awenek' (Creative Creation) was awarded to Bodriggy Academy pupils for the their colourful phrasebooks. 'Lammer Lymm' Keen Beans awarded to the KS1 children of St Breward Community Primary School. 'Goraswonnek Pellwolok' Television Celebrity was awarded to the current Y6 pupils of Treloweth Primary School for their features on BBC and ITV programmes and 'Kampyer Kampyoryon' Champion's Champion was awarded to Kirsten Maun, Year 1 Teacher at Trewirgie Infants & Nursery School, for her dedication and enthusiasm to the Cornish language and Go Cornish programme.

During the event, pupils from Truro High School for Girls Prep School gave a special performance of Gool Peran Lowen (Happy St Piran's Feast) - a Go Cornish song that celebrates the story of the life of Saint Piran, our patron saint.

Commissioned by Cornwall Council and masterminded by Golden Tree Productions, the Go Cornish for Primary Schools programme is available to all primary schools in Cornwall for free. It aims to give every child growing up in Cornwall the opportunity to learn something of the Cornish language, and to discover the culturally rich heritage of our amazing patch of the planet.

Will Coleman, Artistic Director of Golden Tree Productions, said: "Having developed the programme during the 2020-21 lockdowns this is our first real opportunity to bring these schools together to recognise their achievements, and support teachers with their Cornish language delivery in person."

"Hemma yw selwyans a kevewiow Go Cornish brassa ha gwella hwath y'n termyn a dheu, ytho mir orth an spas ma!"

"This will be the foundation for even bigger and better Go Cornish celebrations in future, so watch this space."

The Go Cornish programme is supported by Cornwall Council as part of its 'Creative Manifesto', which aims to develop creative industries in Cornwall, with the Cornish language being an important part of Cornwall's identity and cultural life.

Teachers from four schools receive their Go Cornish Bronze Award (Image: Cornwall Council)

Councillor Carol Mould, Portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said: "We must ensure the Cornish language, which is such a vital part of our identity, is kept alive for future generations."

"It's wonderful to see that so many children are having fun with Kernewek through our schools programme and I'd like to congratulate all of the schools that have worked hard to achieve their Bronze Award."

To find out more about the schools programme visit the Go Cornish website.