Wivelsfield Primary School pupils record NHS charity single

With the majority of pupils remaining at home for so many weeks during lockdown, the school wanted to find a way to bring everyone together and connect one another from their own homes.

When The School Bells Ring Again was composed and put together by the school’s music teacher, Ashley Hards.

The school said: “The heartfelt song talks about all the things which have changed for families at home during lockdown – all the funny things that would have seemed so strange a few months ago and how much we’ve missed each other during these times.

“When we start to hear school bells ringing again, we will know that life is starting to return to normal.

“The children have had the opportunity to be part of something bigger and enjoyed the opportunity to perform to the wider community in a new way, from the safety of their homes.”

More than 40 of Wivelsfield Primary School’s families and members of staff were involved in the project and excitedly submitted their voice and instrumental recordings along with video footage for Mr Hards to collate.

The singers on the track are accompanied by 14 members of the Wivelsfield Primary School Orchestra, with children playing instruments including piano, keyboard, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, violin, guitars, ukuleles, glockenspiel and drums.

Mr Hards said: “We thought that making the video would help the children feel they were doing something to help everybody as a whole.

“It’s very important to provide support for NHS charities at the moment and to help as many people as possible.

“It just seemed the right charity for us to support as they are working really hard at the moment and always do”.

The school has hinted that there may well be plans for another charity video in the future, although prior to this, Mr Hards has said that he would like to release a karaoke version of the video along with recording tutorials to allow others to record their own versions of the song so that they can use them to raise even more money for NHS Charities Together.

Mr Hards and Helen Smith, headteacher, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has been involved for all of their enthusiasm, support and talent.”

The video can be watched on Youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4qWXj9yeW0.

Donations to NHS Charities Together can be made via the Just Giving Page, www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wivelsfield-primary-school.