School celebrates orchestra amid building issues

Teacher Mr Perre and student Lucy rehearsing for their concert

A school in Somerset has celebrated its new string orchestra and creative arts department after it was partially closed amid building safety concerns last year.

Haygrove School in Bridgwater was partially shut in August 2023 and, since then, some lessons have taken place in temporary classrooms.

But one student described getting involved in the new string orchestra as an opportunity she never thought she would have had when she joined the school.

The group, which is led by a husband and wife teaching team, has members ranging from those who have been playing for one year, to those who only picked up a violin last month.

The orchestra, led by Ms Perre, has only been running for 12 months

Speaking after a rehearsal ahead of a Christmas concert the same evening, Lucy, who joined the group only a few months ago, said playing with the orchestra felt like "you're all part of something."

"I never thought when I joined Haygrove I would be playing in an orchestra. But then when I came here it's been really nice to have such an opportunity I wouldn't have anywhere else."

Lucy added the teachers had been "nice and supportive".

Ms Perre, a music teacher at the school, said it was a "fantastic feeling" to be able to watch the children progress in the past 12 months.

"What I want to achieve is to give these children the opportunity I had when I was a young student," she said.

"I am from Bridgwater and I've come back to work here and I love the experience. The fact I'm able to offer this opportunity for them is fantastic."

Some of the pupils only began playing last month

Leanne Mills, the interim headteacher at Haygrove, said she was "so proud" of the music team at the school, adding: "The skill and talent they've bought in is just flourishing."

"Music supports our young people with mental health but also develops a load of cognitive development for them - and it bodes well for the school."