Children and staff at a Calne school are proving to be a shining example when it comes to finding their voice through song.

St Margaret’s Prepara-tory School has gained its gold award in the national Sing Up initiative, which was launched five years ago with government cash to get children singing.

To gain gold, the school had to show that every member of the community, including head teacher Karen Cordon, was keen to sing and to use song as a positive experience.

Sing Up judge Pamela McGahon said: “It is wonderful to see a school take singing to the heart of everything it is doing, with singing being encouraged within the classroom and on the playground.”

She was particularly impressed that the school had involved parents and that staff sing to children as they go off on their school holidays.

St Margaret’s now plans to expand its singing links with other Calne schools.

Mrs Cordon said: “Huge congratulations to everyone involved. It is a wonderful achievement.”