Learning through music

The Academy of St Francis of Assisi (ASFA) in Kensington teamed up with primary schools across the city to promote music and literacy through song-writing.

The Academy Primary Singing Project 2017 began earlier this year and culminated in a concert held at ASFA.

Six primary schools took part in the project including Whitefield Primary School, St Anne’s Overbury, St Margaret’s Primary, New Park Primary, Sacred Heart Primary and Smithdown Primary.

Led by staff from ASFA, each school looked at the song ‘I’m gonna do it all’ by Scottish singer and songwriter Karine Polwart.

The students analysed the lyrics and created new ones based on their own hopes and dreams.

The students created 19 new verses and each school chose their favourite to sing at the final showcase event at the Academy.

Over 178 primary school students came together and joined the academy’s choir Vocalise to form a superchoir for the concert which was attended by proud parents and teachers.

The aim of the project was to get young children thinking about their ambitions, but also to have fun with literacy through looking at song-structure and lyric writing.

Karine Polwart herself noticed the schools efforts on social media and has been tweeting her support.

She tweeted: “I’m delighted to have my song utilised in this way!”

Tracey Greenough, head of school at ASFA, said: “Creating a caring community is a huge part of what we do at the Academy and so it has been an honour to work with local primary schools to promote music and literacy.

“The final concert was a huge success with lots of parents and teachers left beaming with pride throughout the performance. We’re already looking forward to beginning next year’s project!”