SCHOOLS in Cheshire were visited by the chief executive of the National Centre for Languages (CILT).

Kate Board visited five Cheshire West and Chester primary schools to see the variety of language opportunities on offer.

She visited Barnton Primary School in Northwich, William Stockton Community School, Little Sutton Church of England Primary School, Sutton Green Primary School and The Acorns Primary and Nursery School in Ellesmere Port.

Accompanied by Languages Advisor and Cheshire West Lead on the Creative Curriculum, International Links and Philosophy for Children Nikki Perry, the visit included observing a number of language classes and speaking with teachers.

The visit also coincided with Sutton Green’s International Week, based around the World Cup, and William Stockton’s Enterprise Day.

Nikki Perry said: “Learning another language can really open up opportunities to a range of careers across the world – enhancing prospects.

“Cheshire West and Chester, as the local education authority, is currently working towards an entitlement to language learning for every Key Stage 2 pupil by 2010 – a key element of the National Languages Strategy.

“More than 94% of West Cheshire primary schools are now on the way to achieving this with innovative and interactive lessons and linking languages into other areas of the curriculum.

“We look forward to improving on this figure and making language learning a firm focus in primary schools across the area.”