A CLASS where adults can pick up or refresh vital skills won Eldwick Primary School the Community Involvement Award.

Jackie Rosano, who runs the class, picked up the award and dedicated it to the whole team who make the class possible.

The school had worked with an adult community learning centre, establishing English and maths classes for adults.

But when funding was withdrawn and the adult community centre closed, those involved had to think creatively about how to continue with adult learning.

A new provision was set up in the Forward Learning Community, made up of Crossflatts, Priestthorpe and Saltaire Primary schools, Beckfoot School and Bingley Grammar. Luke Weston, head at Bingley Grammar, saw the benefits of offering adult classes and agreed to fund a class for parents/carers from local schools in the area.

The classes have helped improve the self-esteem of many local adults, offering them a safe place to brush up on skills, as well as giving them the skills to help their children improve.

Adults go to the classes for different reasons, from refreshing their skills to learning more about maths and English so they can support their children. It is also used by adults who want to update their CVs.

Receiving the award, Mrs Rosano said: “It was really important to me that this class continued. We’re so surprised with this award, it is really for the whole adult learning class.

“The classes are about nurturing, self-esteem and building confidence. If Marks & Spencer did maths classes it would be this class.

“We spend time with them, nurture them, and so many parents benefit. People’s lives have been changed by us running these classes.”

She thanked Aliki Georgiou, the tutor who runs many of the classes.

Honorary mentions:

Noreen Khan - Neesie

Javed Bashir - Bradford Council