A BOLTON primary school whose children communicate in 19 different languages has been praised for giving the rest of the country a lesson in multiculturalism.

The government's Oftsed education watchdog has named it as one of the five most improved schools in the country.

It says Brandwood Primary School in Daubhill is an excellent example of how different cultures can exist as one community.

Deputy head Amy Holmes said: "Here the children find they have more in common than differences. They play together and learn from each other. They are role models to the whole community."

The school has children from across the globe, some from refugee and asylum seeking families and other whose families have decided to start a new life in the UK. Many start the school not being able to speak a word of English.

Yet it found itself in the top 100 UK schools for the progress its pupils have made from the end of key stage one, at the age of seven, to end of key stage 2, at the age of 11.

And despite a significant proportion of children having English as a second language, the children's results in their final year were largely in line with, or better than, the national average.

The children speak 19 different languages with 69 per cent of the children having English as an additional language and 21 per cent of the children being new to the country and at the early stages of learning English as a new language.

Deputy head Amy Holmes said: "We live in a multi-cultural society and the children learn from each other and barriers are broken down.

"Some of these children have gone through traumatic times and we help them by creating a safe learning environment. These children are very diligent, respectful and grateful they are at school."

Mrs Holmes said the education of children whose first language is English did not suffer at the expense of educating children who are from asylum seeking and refugees families. If anything, say staff, it is enhanced.

She said: "We have additional staff to give special support to children who need it, but our teaching is very structured for all children. In fact in some cases when children are given special support the other pupils benefit from smaller classes." She added that the diverse school community led to a raised awareness of the world as a whole.

Mrs Holmes said: "We are currently reviewing the curriculum. For example we have a number of pupils from Somalia and we will be learning about that country, using our own pupils and bilingual staff as a first hand resource."

Ofsted inspectors visited the school and found that it creates a "harmonious and happy community".

And results from last year's national curriculum tests showed that 75 per cent achieved the required level in English, 83 per cent in maths and 85 per cent in science.

Headteacher Rosemary Jones said: "We have worked extremely hard to provide a high quality, safe, attractive and structured environment for learning and the whole school community has worked co-operatively to achieve this amazing result.

"We are committed to ensuring every child at Brandwood succeeds, expectations are high and will continue to be in the future."

Making friends from around the world

Arabic speaker Fatima Shamsa, aged 4, speaking through her sister Ibrar, aged 10, said: "I enjoy playing."

Ibrar, who was born in Iraq , said: "I was worried when she first started school, but her confidence has got better, she learns so much through playing with other children and her English is getting better."

Fatima Moallim, aged 11, originally from Somalia, is fluent in Dutch after living in Holland for a while but could not speak a word of English when she moved to Bolton in 2004. She said: "I was excited to move this country. I was a little nervous not being able to speak English, it was quite scary, but the teachers were wonderful, and all the children were really helpful."

Yasin Valli, aged 10, was born in Bolton, but his first language is Gujarati and started reception speaking very little English.

"I can speak it really well know. Now I enjoy learning languages from my friends which I know I can use when I get older to work all around the world. I want to be a solicitor and work not just in this country but everywhere."

British-born Callum Ellison, aged nine and speaks English as his native tongue, described Brandwood School as "the best in Bolton".

"The teachers are perfect and make lessons interesting. It is great having other people from all over the world, you learn more about them and their cultures, which I tell my parents."