Media Centre

Pupils at St Giles School send heart-felt Makaton message of support to Derby primary schools destroyed by blaze

08/10/2020

A Derby school has sent a heart-felt video message of support to two city schools which have been left devastated by fire.

St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, in Darley Abbey, and Mickleover-based Ravensdale Infant School were both destroyed by fire, leaving staff, pupils and the community distraught.


Clive Lawrence is executive head teacher at St Giles School in Derby.

Clive Lawrence is executive head teacher at St Giles School in Derby.

Staff and pupils at St Giles School, in Hampshire Road; the city’s only special primary school, performed Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (Everything’s Going To Be Alright) using Makaton; a language programme that uses signs and symbols to help people to communicate. It’s used by CBeebies character, Mr Tumble.

READ MORE: Derby woman nominated for Teaching Assistant of the Year title after going ‘above and beyond’

Executive head teacher, Clive Lawrence, said: “More than ever before schools continue to play an important role in our communities and remain at the heart of supporting children & their families during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Derby Schools remain strongly united and are here to help and support our friends at St Mary’s and Ravensdale during these challenging times.

“In trying to help keep morale high and support with any remote home learning, pupils from St Mary’s & Ravensdale Infants – and other Derby Schools too, if they so wish – may enjoy learning some Makaton by copying the actions in our video message.”

More Stories

Other Stories We Think You'll Like

Get in Touch

Penguin PR is based in Derby, but our happy feet take us to wherever we’re needed – we’ve got clients in Derby and Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and across the East Midlands.

If you would like to find out more about us or discuss a PR project that you have in mind, please feel free to ring us or drop us an email!

Our Media Centre

Our Latest Media News