PRIMARY school pupils who are using Lego as part of an innovative tackling poverty scheme received a visit from a Welsh Assembly Minister last week.

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty Lesley Griffiths came to Cadoxton primary school to see the Club Innov8 project, which is funded by the Welsh Government’s Communities First programme and Pupil Deprivation Grant, and is designed to motivate and inspire pupils and their families to learn more about computer science subjects and careers.

Pupils have the opportunity to learn coding and programming through a variety of digital technologies including Lego, Mindstorms using robotics, Kodu Game Lab and other educational resources.

The project involves Cadoxton Primary, Colcot Primary, Jenner Park Primary and Bryn Hafren Comprehensive and learning sessions take place during and after school times and in holidays.

Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “It was great to meet staff, parents and pupils to see for myself how this scheme is having a positive impact on learning and making a real difference in tackling poverty.

“There are far too many people whose lives are affected by poverty and who cannot afford the basics such as food and heating.

"Employment is the best route out of poverty and it is good to see schemes like Club Innov8 provide young people with the skills to improve their career aspirations for the future, improving their lives for years to come.”

The scheme is delivered by the Vale of Glamorgan County Council with involvement from the Big Learning Company’s not-for-profit arm Big Research Centre.

Councillor Lis Burnett, Vale of Glamorgan Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “Employment is the best route out of poverty and is a key way in which we can regenerate communities.

"Schemes like Club Innov8 provide young people with skills that will improve their career prospects and by doing so make a significant contribution to improving their future lives.”