The Sunderland school bringing music to the homes of pupils during lockdown

Broadway Junior School on Springwell Road has been holding virtual singing assemblies so that pupils can sing together from the safety of their own homes.

Schools across the UK have been closed for more than a month as the world battles the pandemic, but school staff, like those at this Sunderland school are using the power of technology to unite their pupils.

Year 3 teacher John McCabe has been filming himself performing the assembly songs which are then shared on the school Twitter account @broadwayjuniors for the children to sing along to.

The school staff have also made a video of themselves singing together but from their own homes in a bid to lift spirits during this difficult time.

And Mr McCabe has even written and performed via Twitter a special song for the NHS in tribute to the incredible work they are doing on the frontline of the pandemic.

Claire Johnson, head of Broadway Junior School said: “Staff are doing fantastic work at this current time to try to keep spirits up.

“Year 3 teacher, John McCabe, our award-winning songwriter, has written a beautiful song for the NHS which he has performed for our new Twitter account.

“Also on our new Twitter account, we are bringing weekly virtual singing assemblies to the children through the power of technology!

“This has been either John performing one of our assembly songs for the children to sing along to, or the staff actually performing a song, which again through technology, allows us all to sing together.

“The feedback about these videos has been brilliant.“The whole purpose of spreading some joy to the children and families that we miss dearly really does mean so much to everyone, at this difficult time in particular.

“One mum has even Tweeted a video of her little girl dancing and singing along.

“We are all just delighted that our video has created smiles and memories - it’s really made our day!”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.