A BURY primary school is believed to be the first in the country to launch a new language teaching course - in Urdu.

Fifteen pupils at St John's CE, nearly half of them Asian, have registered for the eight-week language course which was launched three weeks ago and runs until the end of term.

The voluntary course aims to teach youngsters basic Urdu language skills while helping to bridge the culture gap through understanding and education.

Headteacher Mrs Kath Samad said: "The course is being run by the local Curriculum Language and Access Service. We believe the school is the only one in the country to run such a scheme.

"This is very much a pilot project and the parents of children at the school are instrumental in our adoption of the scheme."

The weekly Urdu lessons are only open to pupils in Years 5 and 6.

Mrs Samad added: "Asian parents are keen to support the project as they feel it is important for their children to learn their cultural language.

"There is no exam at the end of the course, although the children who have taken part will know enough to hold a conversation in Urdu when they finish."

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