Lincolnshire Primary pupils 'Sing Up' in Louth
Kidgate Primary School Scoops Platinum Sing Up Award
Pupils at a primary school in Louth have achieved the highest award possible from ‘Sing Up’, the Government-backed National Singing Programme.
Over 800 schools around the UK are currently taking part in the Sing Up Awards scheme, and Kidgate Primary School in Louth is one of just three schools in the country to have earned Platinum status.
One of the Government’s Music Manifesto pledges, Sing Up is the £40m National Singing Programme which aims to ensure that every child in every UK primary school takes part in quality group singing during each day, regardless of ability or background. In Lincolnshire, Sing Up is led by soundLINCS – Lincolnshire Music Development Agency – whose team of music facilitators is working with schools like Kidgate Primary to encourage the development of singing at all levels and for all ages.
soundLINCS’ Sing Up Programme Development Officer Louise Salmond Smith explains: ‘Platinum status is only being awarded to those schools who sustain their efforts and practice through the stages of the Sing Up Silver and Gold Awards. But Platinum schools must also connect with the wider community and I’m really proud of the way that pupils and staff at Kidgate Primary are assisting other schools and acting as superb ambassadors, both for Sing Up and for music-making in general.’
Singing is fundamental to the Kidgate Primary School ethos, whether in the form of singing the daily register and using songs to help in French lessons or the whole-school singing which takes place during assemblies, performance events and religious celebrations. All the pupils are encouraged to develop their leadership and creative skills through singing, and the school boasts two school choirs and several afternoon music groups – this includes a ‘Fun Singing Club’ which has just been started at the request of the pupils themselves.
Teachers like Music Coordinator Chris Wood, who runs the Fun Singing Club, use singing as a tool in their classrooms, and all Kidgate staff have taken part in training sessions run by soundLINCS facilitators. Parents are equally supportive of the school’s singing tradition: one has even suggested setting up a choir for parents so they can sing along with staff at school events!
In a letter to Mrs Wood, one member of the Kidgate KS2 choir explains what singing means to her: ‘I love being in the girls’ choir because we are being taught by a fantastic music teacher and it brings a lot of excitement to us. The concerts are fab and everyone loves them. You bring a lot of inspiration to us.’
The Sing Up Awards were launched last summer, when 19 schools around the country were given ‘honorary’ Platinum status. However, Kidgate Primary is one of the first to merit Platinum by following the scheme’s progression through Silver and Gold levels.
More information on Sing Up in Lincolnshire, including details on free training workshops for all adults who work with children, is available at www.soundlincs.org or from Louise Salmond Smith at soundLINCS - louise@soundlincs.org or telephone 01522 510073
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