Glasgow school has no Scottish pupils

A GLASGOW school with no Scottish pupils is appealing for cash to help teach its Roma and Eastern European children.

five pupils lean towards headteacher holding a mugSWNS

Headteacher Shirley Taylor of Annette Street Primary in Glasgow with some of her pupils

Annette Street Primary School in Govanhill’s 222 children are all either from Slovakia or Romania or the children of Asian families.

But head teacher Shirley Taylor said the teachers only speak English: “So the children who have been here for a while act as interpreters for the children who are new.”

Mrs Taylor said: “Families originally came from Slovakia.

A lot of the children have never been to school in their home countries

Shirley Taylor, headteacher at Annette Street Primary School

They settled and then started communicating with families back home, and word got out for others to come.

“And now the same thing is happening with our Romanian families.

"Most come from the same area, Arad, and word has got back to their extended families that if you go to Glasgow go to Annette Street.

“A lot of the children have never been to school in their home countries.”

school front gates looking run down and rustySWNS

Annette Street Primary School in Glasgow

Annette Street Primary sign and notice boardSWNS

English signs at the school

The school has joined Strathclyde Business School students to launch a crowdfunding campaign.

The public is being asked to provide funding for puzzles and jigsaws that require communication in English to improve pupils’ English.

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Annette Street Primary playground rusty gateSWNS

Annette Street Primary School in Glasgow

Health and developmental psychologist Cynthia McVey attended Annette Street as a girl in 1960.

She said last night: “There is little diversity there now. The children speak their own language in the playground, and will not be exposed to children who speak English.”

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