A SCHOOL in Crediton has been given a generous donation to be used to help students who struggle with spelling or reading.

The £1,000 cheque was presented to Queen Elizabeth's School at the Masonic Hall in Uffculme on October 28, and is to be used to purchase licences for the Nessy reading and spelling computer programme.

Amanda Middlemost, a Special Educational Needs Coordinator at Queen Elizabeth’s, said: “These licences benefit many of our students who struggle with persistent spelling or reading difficulties.

"They will be used to contribute to literacy interventions that are delivered by our Learning Support Department, but they also can be used to provide additional and ongoing support for students at home.

"Furthermore, we are able to share the benefits of this programme with children in nine of our partner primary schools, thus extending our links throughout the Crediton Learning Community whilst providing continuity between our students primary and secondary education.”

The generous donation was presented by the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire on behalf of the WAKE (William Alexander Kneel Endowment) Fund.

This is a a trust set up by the Right Worshipful Brother William Alexander Kneel, Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire from 1970 to 1984, the late owner of Kneels laundry & dry cleaners (now Johnsons).

This fund now stands at £1.88 million and the interest earned is given annually to local non masonic organisations who are in need of help.

Since the first disbursement in 2001 over £600,000 has been given to over 700 worthy causes selected by members of the 137 Masonic lodges based in the county.

Dave Morey a governor at Queen Elizabeth’s, said: “We are extremely grateful to our local masonic lodge, who nominated us for this award.”