SONGSTERS at a Sale primary school had something to sing about after learning they’d been awarded a gold level award for their lyrical achievements.

Pupils at The Firs scooped the top level Singup Gold Award - a programme designed to put singing at the heart of primary school life.

Organised by the Music Manifesto’s National Singing Programme, only schools which can provide extensive evidence of their warbling above and beyond the music curriculum can attain the gold mark.

Over the past year Jo Pollock, the school’s music co-ordinator, organised for the school’s children to sing at the Trafford Centre on three separate occasions, perform live on radio stations such as Key 103 and Wythenshawe FM, and perform music for a number of festivals and events. She also penned a song for youngster which they then recorded.

“Singing and performing enriches the curriculum and at the same time builds the children's basic skills and creativity and imagination,” she said.

“The pupils have strived hard to learn lyrics and melodies and I am especially proud of the maturity of some of the younger ones. It takes a lot of courage to perform in front of 1,000 people at The Trafford Centre!

“This just highlights the maturity and confidence that music has provided our pupils with and we have even bigger plans ahead.

“The Gold Award celebrates all the hard work the pupils have put in to every rehearsal and performance and they deserve the recognition and praise.”

Singup auditor, Anna Jewitt, sang the school’s praises in her validation report: “The great range of singing activities led by teaching staff and through outside companies clearly provides a rich programme of singing for the young people.

“Singing is seen as a fun activity by all and is used to heighten the content of assemblies and other events. I hope I can come in for a visit soon,” she added!