Last updated at 15:46, Monday, 18 January 2010

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A SCHOOL has scooped a national prize for singing.

Askam Village School was awarded the National Sing Up silver award after working towards the accreditation for a term.

Joanne Coates, a teacher at the school, said: “I applied at the end of summer and we had achieved it by the end of the autumn term.

“It’s about putting singing at the heart of the school.

“We had all the children in the school involved working towards the award.

“Everyone has played a part.”

Singing and music feature very prominently at the school. Whether it’s to solve a maths problem or help pupils with French, teachers are encouraged to get the class singing.

Mrs Coates said: “It’s a very musical school. About a quarter of the children play the flute and we have violinists and guitar players too.

“It’s definitely a strength of the school.”

Mrs Coates is already looking to the future.

When the school was closed due to snow, she starting work towards the gold award.

It could take three terms to complete.

Mrs Coates said: “The gold award will require a lot more work. The children will get involved with all the performances we hold throughout the year.

“We like to invite someelderly members of the community to come and watch the shows.

“It’s not about them just singing in assembly, it’s wherever possible really.

“It’s a great advert for the school.”

First published at 10:16, Monday, 18 January 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk