MORE state primary schools will take part in a singing outreach project after Christ Church Cathedral School decided to continue the project next year.

The school’s partnership with Oxfordshire County Council’s Music Service has seen 35 primary schools and its teachers trained by choristers, and six more will get the chance next year.

The scheme was previously government-funded as part of the National Singing Strategy but the cathedral school has had to take over funding it. It is asking for donations to keep it running.

On Monday, the latest batch of pupils performed Turn Again Whittington, a piece of music about Dick Whittington, in the cathedral as a culmination of their year’s work.

Deputy head of the music service Liz Stock said: “It’s a fantastic partnership that has been very successful and we are so glad it will be back for six more schools next year.

“It is a marvellous opportunity for children in primary schools to not only discover what the choristers do but to hear them perform and perform themselves in the cathedral.

“They really enjoy it, it makes them feel good about themselves and it gives them access to music that they otherwise might not have had.”

A packed cathedral heard Year 4 pupils from Botley School, Sandhills Community Primary School, St Andrew’s Primary School in Headington, St Edmunds Primary School in Abingdon, Windmill Primary School in Headington and Caldecott Primary School in Abingdon perform the piece.

The project, now in its eighth year, sees choristers from CCCS and director of music Sophie Biddell visit six schools on a regular basis throughout the academic year.

Ms Biddell said: “Every year it is such a thrill when it all comes together for our end-of-year concert.

“The children have all worked very hard.

“We are delighted that we are going to continue our outreach programme next year and extend this opportunity to a further six schools.

“However, since the Government withdrew its support for the work, funding is difficult.

“We welcome donations towards the running of the programme.”

Michael Fitzgibbon, a chorister who has a music scholarship to Harrow School next year, has been going into schools for the past four years.

He said: “I think singing makes you feel better. It’s a great stress reliever, I find.”

“By the end of the year the children are definitely more confident and, in some cases, they are better singers.”

The lessons are also designed so that once each school has finished the programme, its teachers will have the skills to continue a high-level of coaching.

For details visit cccs.org.uk