AN OTLEY school has won an award for its dedication to music.
Westgate is one of eight primary schools - and three secondaries - to have been awarded Music Champion Status by the Leeds Music Education Partnership. Westgate’s headteacher Helen Carpenter, music teacher Tamsyn Durrant and four members of the school orchestra recently attended a ceremony at Pudsey Civic Hall to receive the award, plus a display banner.
The Westgate pupils, Georgia, Holly, Lizzie and Niamh, performed two pieces at the event. At Westgate all children are taught glockenspiel, xylophone and ukulele while older pupils can also learn other instruments.
The school also has a choir and orchestra, with more than 60 children taking part in at least one extra-curricular music activity each week. Mrs Carpenter said: “We are delighted and proud to receive Music Champion status. Music is so important: it spreads happiness and confidence, teaches teamwork and concentration and helps brain development. We are fortunate to have a fantastic music specialist in Mrs Durrant, who enables so many children to find their talent, and our staff are committed to ensuring music runs through our curriculum.”
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