KNUTSFORD Academy is bringing the young and the elderly together to learn as part of a new project.

The pioneering new programme, named ‘Old School, has been launched in partnership with Knutsford U3A.

The aim of the programme is to encourage senior member of the Knutsford community and young students at the Academy to learn things from each other.

Suzanne Lerch, Knutsford resident and senior partner in the Old School programme, said: ““My experience so far is proving very enjoyable, extremely informative and, hopefully, as interesting and beneficial to my student partner as it is to me.”

The group meets weekly and members are currently working in pairs to focus on a project called ‘now and then’ in which they will collate the differences between being at school now and in the past. In March each group will present what they have learnt in an afternoon session.

Senior members have also been invited to use the library and computing facilities at the Academy, where students are on hand to help them out with any technology questions they have regarding the internet, emails or social media.

The Academy is one of the first schools in England to launch the programme, led by, Ray Fung, a science teacher at the school.

He said: “We are always trying to identify how we can engage with the local community and how local people, whatever their age, can help support and benefit each other.

“We are absolutely delighted as to how our students have embraced the programme and welcomed the senior partners to the Academy.”