THE halls are alive with the sound of music in a Great Yarmouth school which is the first in the county to scoop a top singing award.

Edward Worlledge Junior School has been named as a Platinum Singing School as part of The Sing Up Awards, which recognise, celebrate and promote schools that put singing at the heart of school life.

Only 130 schools in the country have received the award and Edward Worlledge is the first school in Norfolk.

Music teacher Krista Ribbons, who has helped lead the school to victory, said: 'We have even got a staff choir and all of our teachers are trained in singing.

'The children sing every day and we have been working towards the award for a year.

'This is a brilliant opportunity for the children and in the school we celebrate everything through song.'

The award means that the school can act as an ambassador for Sing Up.

Ms Ribbons said the pupils sing songs from different genres and that talent programmes such as the Voice and Britain's Got Talent help to inspire them.

'We sing hymns and pop songs. When the children watch programmes such as The Voice they see role models – they idolise Jessie J.'

Singing and music features in all lessons and the pupils have been working hard to produce a musical, Fit for Fun, which focuses on healthy living and the Olympics.

The award was endorsed by Andrea Pierides, Sing Up awards officer, who praised the school's commitment to singing.

She said: 'It's clear that singing takes place in all year groups and all classes on a daily basis.

'All staff are also engaged within the singing activity in the school. The increase in pupil's confidence and self-esteem in singing is a testament to the hard work and commitment of all the staff at the school.'