Why it could soon be like a musical at Doncaster infants school

It may be missing the nuns, but there will be plenty of singing at Orchard Primary School, Sprotbrough, after nine teachers signed up to learn how to bring singing into their lessons.

It means they could soon be doing things like singing their register in a more choral classroom.

The teachers took part in the first-ever Singing Champions class to show them how to use singing in lessons, run by Doncaster Music Education Hub at The Point, South Parade.

Janet Wood, who runs the group, said: “It’s about giving every child the opportunity to sing. We can’t go into every school, so it’s important to get teachers fired up with that idea.

“There’s lots of good evidence for the beneficial effects of singing on well being and concentration. You can use it in maths to help remember things, and when you’re learning to read.

“We’re looking at the opportunities to sing during the day – singing during the register, doing hello songs, and songs for getting people’s attention, that sort of thing, songs for the playground. Singing is also good for calming people down. It’s about teachers’ well being too – singing can lift your mood.”

Janet worked as a teacher until the early 1990s at schools including Marshland Middle School, Moorends, and Abbey Middle School, Dunscroft, getting a job working in music at Darts arts group in 1995. She also runs the organisation’s Quirky Choir.

Kate Westerman was one of the teachers from Orchard Infants at the opening event.

She said: “We don’t normally get to go on courses like this for music, so it’s a great way to take things back to school. I think there are some great ideas.

“Hopefully the kids will get upskilled by teachers who can teach them singing, and it will help us to get them to enjoy the subject. I think sometimes subjects like this can get squeezed, but we think music’s important.”

Kerry Marshall teaches drama at Cast, and came to the sessions for new ideas. She said: “I’m not a natural singer, but the children don’t mind as long as they get to sing.”