AN ABINGDON school has become the first in the county to receive an award for the innovative way it uses singing to help children learn.

Pupils at Carswell Community Primary School, in Bostock Road, sing every day as a way to help them remember information.

Songs are peppered with details about literature, maths formulas and history. Teachers claim that the melody of songs helps the material lodge in pupils’ heads.

Pictured during a singing session are, from left, Olivia Spraggs, Kieran Ritchie, Caitlin North and Jamie Sullivan-Webb.

Many of the children do not have English as a first language and songs from many countries are performed. Signing is also used.

Last week, the children performed songs connected with their favourite books to mark World Book Day, which is tomorrow, and celebrated receiving the Silver Sing Up Award.

The award is designed to mark the children and teachers’ commitment to singing.

The school is now aiming to achieve the gold standard.

Music co-ordinator Katie David said: “Children hear pop songs and can recite every word.

“What we’ve found is that they can perform a complicated song about the history of the Egyptians and recite every detail.”

Picture: Antony Moore