Carlton Road Academy Hits The High Notes

"At Carlton Road Academy we have been busy building our music offer over the last two years.

"Since we were able to return to performing after the pandemic, playing and singing together unites all of our children and communities - as language is no barrier.

"Our children love to perform and we have built an exciting curriculum offer around their enthusiasm!

"Every week, our pupils participate in a singing assembly, exploring a different genre, musical or performer/band each half term.

"Rock and Roll, The Lion King and Abba (Mama Mia!) have been some of the most popular so far. In addition, we have our “Musician of the Month” and we have 'discovered' David Bowie, Nina Simone and Ethel Smyth since September.

"We work closely with Lincolnshire Music Service who, alongside the teaching team here, deliver half of our KS2 curriculum - where the children learn recorder, toots, the ukulele, and trumpet, as well as percussion (such as South American Samba, Caribbean Steel Pans and West African Djembe drumming).

"Last year we joined forces with John Lyons, Musical Director at Boston Parish, initially at a Lincolnshire Showground event which prompted an invitation to join the “Big Sing” at Boston Stump.

"We are doing so again with all of our Year 3s this Easter at an evening concert, a specific element in our music planning.

"John also formally coaches choral singing in Years 2 and 6. The excitement he has brought to our children’s singing prompted us to join forces this Christmas and take over The Stump for a parent-filled concert of our own, to delighted acclaim.

"We are building a Christmas tradition with Endeavour Radio and have now taken over part of a December Breakfast Show for the last two years, singing a reprise of some nativity songs and other festive favourites!

"However, the two most recent and exciting events have involved travelling further afield. Last year we joined in a Lincolnshire ensemble at the Albert Hall in London, making up 50 members of a 400+ group performing a Beyonce medley with a full youth orchestra! (You can see the video clip on the school’s website.)

"This January “Carlton on the Road” Year 5s were part of a 5,000 strong youth choir at Sheffield Arena, singing as part of Young Voices – an amazing experience that none of us will ever forget.

"As Ella Fitzgerald once said, "The only thing better than singing is more singing.". We agree with that!"