PUPILS at Gourock Primary school signed themselves up to learn an important new skill at a lunch club.

The school tasked the pupils with setting personal targets and a group of youngsters decided to learn British Sign Language in order to communicate with people who are deaf, hard of hearing or rely on a hearing aid.

Teacher Laura Thomson was inspired by their determination to learn and set up a British Sign Language lunch club.

She says she was amazed when 25 pupils from primary five and six signed up to join.

She said: “I am really proud of them.

"This is something that they came up with and told us they wanted to learn.

“They are giving up their own time at lunch to come to the sessions and they are all dedicated to becoming more adept at the skill.

“Many of them know someone that they would be better able to communicate with if they learn how to sign and others are just interested in learning.”

Although the club is only in its second week, the pupils have already mastered the alphabet and how to sign their names.

Miss Thomson added: “I have been really impressed, they all really seem to be enjoying it.

“I gave out alphabet cards for them to practice with and they have all been working hard at home and showing off to their parents and families.

“I just want them to be able to have a basic conversation should they need to.

"That starts with how to sign our names, numbers, where we live and our family and being able to ask questions regarding these topics.”

The class has been so successful that next term Miss Thomson is thinking of extending the offer to other year groups.

She said: “It has only been two weeks and they have already learned so much and really seem to be enjoying it.

"They ask questions and want to learn more, I’m very impressed with all the pupils in the club and it's certainly something we will consider extending."