STAFF and pupils from a primary school say they are honoured to have won a new musical award.

The West Midlands Branch of the Elgar Society has introduced the new award for primary schools in Worcester.

The winning school was St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Warndon.

Louise Bury, headteacher at the school said: “We are very proud of our children and the opportunities that we have provided for them.

“The extra curricular activities available to all children impact on their wellbeing and learning.

“We are honoured to be the first school to receive this prestigious award in recognition of everyone’s hard work and enjoyed welcoming David Packman to our school today to present the award.”

The award was handed out at a school assembly on Wednesday, December 11.

The idea behind the venture is to encourage schools to give as many of their pupils as possible the opportunity to take part in musical activities as singers and instrument players.

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The activities would not only take place in the classroom, but also extended to out-of-class periods.

The scheme hopes to encourage more public concert performances such as students taking part in Worcester Young Voices New Visions at Worcester Cathedral.

Sixty-four children from the school played instruments and more enjoyed a lunch-time choir sing-along.

It has recorded a music CD for which each class performed a different song – even the staff joined in and recorded a ’bonus’ track.

The judging panel consisted of representatives from music charity Severn Arts and the Elgar Society, together with a former music teacher in Worcestershire.

The award itself took the form of a small bronze bust of Sir Edward Elgar and a cash donation of £100.

The Elgar Society is planning to make the award an annual event and, all being well, to extend eligibility next year to all Worcestershire primary schools.