COULD a band of Cumbrian school children be the next Coldplay?

Star pupils at Croftlands Guitar Club are following in the footsteps of some giants of British music, after a song they wrote and recorded was included on a compilation from a respected record label alongside up-and-coming names from across the UK and US.

London-based Fierce Panda Records helped launch the career of some of the biggest names in indie rock over the past two decades; and on its 21st anniversary compilation one track stands out more than any other – Keep Me, by Pesky, is the debut single from a band of Ulverston 11- and 12-year-olds.

Croftlands Junior School Year Five and Six teacher Simon Cross sent off one of the self-penned tunes from the after school music club – made up of Jessica Webster, Megan Cooper, Patsy Gillam, Kate Stamp, Niamh Angell, Harry Angell, and Joseph Jackson – to a contact in the music industry, and was surprised that the track was even acknowledged, let alone featured on such a high-profile release.

He said: “I was amazed that the email I sent was read, and they had listened to the song, and even more so when they said they had ideas for a project.

“The guy I had an email address for, Joel De’ath, has worked with Atlantic Records and managed loads of bands. He signed The Darkness and said he worked with Ash when they were still in school – so he really knows his stuff.

“I sent five or six songs and he had the idea of putting out an EP through Fierce Panda and including one of them on this compilation.”

The album, called Panda 21, is available to buy through the label’s website and stream via Spotify, and includes tracks by hotly-tipped American acts such as Floridian rockers Surfer Blood and New York indie outfit The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

Since starting out in 1994, the label has been responsible for Coldplay’s debut single, Brothers & Sisters, as well as early releases from Idlewild, Placebo, and even an interview tape from Oasis.

Mr Cross said: “Joel was excited by the songs, and said that regardless of their age, it was exactly the sort of music he was into.

“Obviously there’s a novelty factor because they are so young, and he wants to keep it fun and not add any pressure, but the fact they are interested is mind-blowing.”

Talks are ongoing about putting out an EP release, cheekily titled Smells Like Tween Spirit, to coincide with the end of the summer term, and an animated video for Keep Me should be featured on the Fierce Panda site soon.

The pupils – some of whom have moved up to Ulverston Victoria High School since the tracks were recorded – wrote and recorded all the music and lyrics, with only minimal input from experienced guitarist Mr Cross.

The band are still together, still penning potential hits, and their teacher thinks they could go far.

He said: “At first we were just playing Beatles covers and things like that, but Megan came in one Friday and said she had a song of her own and asked if we could play it. The lyrics were brilliant and we built it up from there.

“That got the ball rolling, and they all had a go at writing – the one included on the compilation was actually written by Kate when she was nine.

“The label would like for them to get a bit of radio play and maybe play a small stage at a festival. We’ve had some talented individuals over the years, but they’re definitely the best group in terms of songwriting.

“I’d like them to keep going and work towards becoming a fully-fledged band on their own, but for now I’m just happy to help out.”

The Panda 21 compilation is available to buy from www.fiercepanda.co.uk and stream at spotify.com