A Wigan school is the first in the North West to receive funding so children can learn about the pioneering works of George Orwell.
The ‘Teacher in School Bursary’ led by the Orwell Society is a new pot of money given to schools so the life and works of George Orwell can be explored by future generations.
And, it is only fitting that a school from Wigan is one of the first two schools the country to benefit following George Orwell spending time in the town researching his famous book ‘The Road to Wigan Pier’.
All schools across the borough were invited to submit bids but it was St Marks CE Primary School in Newtown who were successful in.
The money will allow Year 6 pupils to explore the social-economic issues faced in 1937 compared with present day and create artist impressions of Wigan based on Orwell’s view.
Once the project is complete, St Mark’s will hold a showcase evening so other schools and local people can learn out about the work.
Danielle Hayward is a Y6 teacher at St. Mark’s, she said: “We feel incredibly privileged to be a part of the first year of this bursary. It is a fantastic opportunity to teach the pupils in our school not only about an extraordinary writer, but also about the area they live in.
“As the nearest located school to Wigan Pier, we hope to give the pupils a real connection to their own local history.”
Richard Blair, Orwell’s son, came to the school today, Thursday 30 January, to formally congratulate the children on the successful bid.
He said: “My father’s book was one which highlighted the social issues across Great Britain in the 1930s. He was very fond of the people from Wigan and seeing how much support the council and local community have given to the legacy of my father is touching.
“I look forward to hearing much more about the work St Mark’s will be doing thoroughly hope the children enjoy earning about my father and his findings.”
The funding comes almost two years after Wigan Council acknowledged The Road to Wigan Pier, Orwell’s journalistic masterpiece on the plight of the working class in 1930s England, with a blue plaque.
The plaque, along with more than 200 books from the Peter Davison Collection of Orwell’s works, sits in the reference library at the Museum of Wigan Life where Orwell researched his book.
Wigan Archives and Local Studies also holds a visitor’s book from the period in which Orwell visited the town. The book holds a signature reading ‘Eric Blair’ – Orwell’s given name
