VIDEO: Pupils sing and sign to break world record

Two local primary schools have been rehearsing this month to help break a fundraising world record attempt for the most people singing and signing simultaneously.

Teachers and pupils from Leechpool Primary School, Horsham and Jolesfield CoE Primary School, Partridge Green, will be participating in ‘sign2sing’ on Wednesday, February 6 at 2.45pm to raise money for deaf people.

Mrs Kirsty Bentley, music co-ordinator at Leechpool Primary, said: “As a school we like to take part in events that help community cohesion and it was an opportunity for the children to have a taste of a different language that they may not otherwise have had.”

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‘sign2sing’ is a fundraiser for national healthcare charity SignHealth through a suggested £1 donation from everyone taking part.

The money raised will be used to continue the charity’s work helping to improve the mental and physical health and well-being of deaf people, including deaf children.

Steve Powell, Chief Executive at SignHealth, said: “So far more than 1,000 schoolshave registered for sign2sing.

“We thought it would be fun for teachers and pupils to share videos of their progress via Twitter and Facebook and we look forward to seeing how schools are getting on.”

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Last year 114,277 children took part in SignHealth’s sign2sing 2012 event and smashed the world record. The previous record, which was also set by SignHealth, was 94,489.

This will be SignHealth’s third sign2sing event and the charity is hoping to involve more than 175,000 youngsters.

Steve continued: “We would also like to remind schools in Horsham that they will need to film or photograph their performances on sign2sing day and this can be done using a camera or a mobile phone.

“The videos and photos will then be sent to Guinness World Records so it can confirm whether we have broken the record.”

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Mrs Bentley added: “We’re immensely looking forward to the actual event. It is such a catchy tune and the children have really loved learning the signing as well as the song.

“I have been very impressed with how they have picked it up and their enthusiasm. If we do manage to be part of a world record it will be the icing on the cake.”

This year, teachers and pupils who sign up for sign2sing will have access to digital resources developed by SignHealth in partnership with leading cause-related entertainment provider, Digital Giving.

“The children’s book character, Olli the monkey, who loves to sign, features in the online digital resources and in an interactive lesson called ‘Monkey Manor’, which can be accessed via www.sign2sing.org.uk” said Steve.

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“Although Monkey Manor is fun and entertainment-led, schoolchildren will be steered to access important communication messages, tips and information as part of the experience.”

For more information about sign2sing, please visit the website above or contact SignHealth on 01494 687600.

Alternatively, sign2sing is on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sign2sing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sign2sing.