National Schools Singing Programme

We are delighted to be working with Neil Cannon, Choral Director for Portsmouth Diocese, through the National Schools Singing Programme.

In 2024-25, two year groups benefited from weekly, expert vocal tuition from Neil, growing in confidence, musicianship and joy through singing together. When budget restraints meant the programme was unlikely to continue this year, our wonderful St Edmund Campion church community stepped in to fund the cost, as they so value hearing our children lead hymns with Neil at Mass.

Neil works brilliantly alongside our KS1 Music Lead, Mr Brutnall, and KS2 Music Lead, Mrs Faruki, ensuring our children develop their voices, listen carefully, sing with unity and expression, and participate fully in the prayer life of our school.

This work enriches our collective worship, prayer and liturgy, helping pupils to encounter God through sacred music, deepen their spiritual life, and take an active role in our faith community with reverence, enthusiasm and pride. In the spirit of St Augustine’s famous words, “He who sings prays twice.”