St. Mary's has started working with primary schools in Warrington to develop a singing programme within the Catholic community of Warrington and the Church. The aspirations are for excellence of musical education and performance, building commitment from children and their families through a structured programme. The aim is to nurture music making with children aged 7+ at primary school, who can carry this interest into their later career at secondary school.

The benefits of singing to health and lifelong learning are well known, as well as helping to develop key skills, such as language, numeracy, science, geography, history and culture. Every child deserves the chance to sing every day. Singing improves learning, confidence, health and social development. It has the power to change lives and help to build stronger communities.

This is a long term plan of educational development for the Catholic community of Warrington, and is in line with the government's music manifesto.

Sing Up www.singup.org is part of a national programme aimed to get all young people of primary school age and older to enjoy singing. This programme is funded by youth music, which has set up numerous Sing Up Communities across the country. This exciting partnership between St. Mary's and local schools will start in September 2011. For more information, or to get your school involved, email: music@stmaryswarrington.org.uk.