We are delighted to announce that Brindishe Green has been awarded a Platinum Sing-Up award. The Sing-Up awards promote singing in schools and the Platinum award is the highest level that can be achieved . It is for schools who have already achieved the Gold level and are now ready to be an ambassador singing school and support other schools to ensure singing is a vital part of their school life. There are only 85 Platinum schools across the UK and only 8 in London. Brindishe Green is the first school in the borough of Lewisham to gain Platinum status.

As part of the assessment process, an independent assessor visited the school to hear all about the singing activity in the school. She met groups of staff, children, parents/carers and governors who shared their experience of singing at Brindishe Green. She then visited every class in the school, from Nursery all the way up to Year 6 to listen to the children singing. The children sang a wide variety of songs, including songs they sing as part of their daily routine and songs that are linked to their learning. There were songs in different languages, Roman raps, songs about space, songs from Victorian times and songs that make us feel good – to name but a few! There were also performances from the school choir, the performing arts groups and a class choir.

In her report, the assessor says ‘singing is completely embedded into the curriculum and school life and is used to bring more creative means to learning. All pupils are involved in and enjoy singing in school and it is a natural part of your day. This ethos is reflected in the way all staff advocate singing within the school.’

She goes on to say that ‘there is a great sense of pride and joy around singing, which reaches out to the community ... It is evident that singing has spread outside the school walls and into the children’s homes as parents have reflected upon the impact singing has made to their children’s confidence and enjoyment of school. This enthusiasm for singing seems to be infectious at Brindishe Green and passed on through the Federation and beyond’.

We are very proud of our Platinum Sing-Up award. If you would like to find out more about Brindishe Green’s singing activity, please contact Eadaoin Kelly, the school’s Sing-Up Awards Champion at ekelly@brindishegreen.lewisham.sch.uk. The school will be planning a celebration singing event to celebrate the award – watch this space!