SCHOOL pupils in Harrow will get the singing equivalent of training sessions with the England football team, a music teacher says.

Children from six schools across the borough will work with the BBC Singers over the next three years, with a performance at the Roundhouse, in Camden, already booked in for March.

Heathland Primary, Rooks Heath High, Nower Hill High, Park High, Priestmead Primary and Canons High will all be taking part in the project, named Go Sing.

Tim Smith, head of the arts at Heathland, said: “We do everything we can outside school and we are engaged in a big project with the BBC Singers.

“It's a bit like the school football team working with the England team, the BBC Singers are that good.”

There will be lessons in conducting for music teachers, workshops with the singers, an all-day singing event for individual schools and rehearsal sessions with dedicated mentors.

The singers are the BBC's in-house chamber choir and are well respected in the music world.

They gave an introductory performance at Harrow Art Centre on Friday, January 14.

Chris Spruce, headteacher at Heathland, said: “For them all to be involved in such a high-profile national project and to perform with young people from lots of other schools across London at the Roundhouse is just a great opportunity for the children.”

Councillor Brian Gate, responsible for schools and colleges, said: “This is a great chance for our school choirs to learn from some of the best in the business and we’re very grateful to the BBC Singers for giving them this opportunity.

“I’m looking forward to hearing their progress throughout the project and am especially looking forward to hearing them perform at the Roundhouse.”

The scheme will extend to other schools in the borough later this year.