A JOHNSTONE school celebrated in style after becoming the first in Scotland to be handed the UK Literacy School of the Year award.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney presented the accolade to St Anthony’s Primary School at a celebration attended by hundreds from the school community, including literacy professionals from Glasgow’s Strathclyde University, as well as local councillors, parents, children and staff.

The pupils all got the opportunity to take part in interactive activities which centred around popular authors such as Beatrix Potter, Roald Dahl and JK Rowling, while adults enjoyed plenty of puzzles and a fun game of ‘book bingo.’

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Parent Council member Caroline Murphy said it was an excellent, long-awaited celebration after receiving confirmation of the award earlier this year.

The Gazette:

Deputy First Minister John Swinney was in attendance 

She told The Gazette: “A fun evening was had by all, with a wide range of literacy-themed activities available for both children and adults to participate in.

“The prestige of being the first-ever school in Scotland to achieve this award was acknowledged, as was the innovative, aspirational and inclusive approach adopted by the school to realise literacy success for all our children.

“It was a vibrant, energised evening and the phenomenal attendance levels, especially on a Friday night, were positively acknowledged.

“It was a wonderfully successful event.”

The school was described by judges back in March as ‘inspirational’, with headteacher Jacqueline McBurnie being praised for her ‘outstanding’ leadership.

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St Anthony’s Primary is among the schools to introduce the Renfrewshire Literacy Approach – a project between Renfrewshire Council and the University of Strathclyde which has led to an improvement in children’s attainment, regardless of their background.