A PRIMARY school is hitting all the right notes after bagging a national accolade for music.

Captain Shaw's Primary School, in Bootle, has been awarded an outstanding accreditation by a national music body, The Music Mark.

Representatives from the organisation visited the school and observed classes for a day and were delighted by what they saw.

Headteacher Pete Mills says music is an important part of daily life at the school and is delighted to have won the award.

He said: "A lot of primary schools don't have this provision because they don't always have musicians among their staff but during the past year we've worked really hard so it's great to be recognised."

As a former musician himself, Mr Mills is eager to ensure all children get the opportunity to learn an instrument.

Each Key Stage One child has both singing lessons and recorder lessons, while Key Stage Two children must learn to play a brass instrument and the ukulele, in addition to having singing lessons once a week.

Children also have the opportunity to learn a woodwind instrument and also take part in an international sign language choir.

Mr Mills said: "With the ukuleles it's great because we can play all the current songs.

"We just ask the children what their favourite pop song is and we learn to play them.

"We like to keep things current but also like to try more traditional things – especially with the brass.

"We will always learn a march, because we're a traditional brass band, and we'll be looking at Christmas carols soon."

The school's music sessions are also proving to be a great hit with the pupils who relish the opportunity to learn some more unusual instruments.

Isobel Jackson, aged 10, loves performing for her friends and family.

She said: "I like playing the euphonium because it's the biggest instrument out of the other brass ones and it's quite loud as well."

Her twin, Ruby, plays the trumpet and enjoys playing in a group.

She said: "My favourite thing is the fact they we're a small band so we can play stuff and if anyone gets stuck we can help them.

"It's really fun."

Mr Mills agreed with Ruby and believes music helps teach young people a whole host of valuable skills.

He said: "It's about aspirations so children can see everything they can do and it's about giving them an opportunity to do different things.

"Music helps with all other subjects. It helps with working as a team and as part of a group; it teaches them to have discipline and that you have to persevere to achieve difficult things."