PUPILS of St Michael’s C of E Primary Academy, Heavitree, in Devon, are taking part in Choir Church: a musical offering run in partnership with the parish church.

Choir Church — which combines musical training and spiritual formation — was established in 2016 with impetus from the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication, led by the Bishop of Islington, the Rt Revd Ric Thorpe, as a model for new worshipping communities (News, 17 November 2017).

It offers children in school Years 3-6 the opportunity to learn and develop a range of musical skills and knowledge, with the English choral tradition at its heart, and to sing at a eucharist to which parents, teachers, neighbours, and the church congregation are invited.

Run by the Team Rector of Heavitree and St Mary Steps, the Revd Benjamin Rabjohns, and led by Matthew Jeffrey, a lay vicar of Exeter Cathedral, it is a weekly after-school activity, with refreshments and interactive games as well as choir. Fifteen pupils currently attend.

“The children really enjoy it,” Fr Rabjohns said. “They get a sense of achievement out of it as they learn and develop their music knowledge in a different place. It’s a good way to deepen a relationship with the school, and to have a presence there on a regular basis, to build a relationship between the school, the church and families.

“Our hope is that Choir Church adds value to what the school is already doing. We hope that we can give pupils musical educational value, too.”

Eucharists were introduced in the school for the first time at Christmas. “The formation of our Choir Church has brought another dimension to our school vision of enriching lives and enabling children to flourish,” the recently retired head teacher, Karen Leach, said.

“For many years, there had been discussion about how we could introduce a eucharist service regularly into the school.

“It’s enhancing the school tradition of equipping children musically for worship and life. Our hope, as a school team, is that the congregation continues to build, and that wider participation of the community will continue to grow.”