Local school takes part in Chorister Outreach Project

A choir from Kingsbridge Primary School, part of Education South West, performed at Exeter Cathedral this month. 

The eight primary school pupils travelled to the city as part of the Chorister Outreach Project at the cathedral.  The Chorister Outreach Programme is run as a collaboration between Exeter Cathedral, Exeter Cathedral School and Devon and Torbay Music Education Hubs and aims to instil and develop the joy of singing in children aged seven to eleven.

The programme is open to all Devon and Torbay maintained primary schools and academies on a fully subsidised basis thanks to funding and in-kind support from Exeter Cathedral and the Hub and offers specialist teaching input, involving current Cathedral choristers. It’s delivered in a different geographical area each term and always culminates in a large-scale Saturday afternoon concert in the Cathedral. 

Ahead of the performance, the pupils took part in three workshops at the school in order to prepare.  On the day the Kingsbridge choir had the chance to perform alongside other local schools as well as the Devon Junior and Senior Choir and choristers from the cathedral itself. 

At Kingsbridge Primary School, the intent is to deliver a high-quality, equitable curriculum, enabling all children to make progress regardless of their starting points and discover who they are as a musician  The school wants children to consider how music affects them and how they can aspire to become a listener, performer or composer in their current and future lives, whether for relaxation or a career.  

 Gareth Howells Headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School said:

“I am so pleased that our choir got to make the trip up to Exeter and perform at the cathedral this month.  I was also delighted to receive the feedback that the pupils conduct was excellent and that many people commented on how beautifully they sang.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:

“It’s lovely to hear that Kingsbridge Primary have been taking part in the Chorister Outreach Project with Exeter Cathedral.  At Education South West we believe it’s so important that children get to experience a wide range of rich learning opportunities that are both academic and creative and in and out of the classroom.