Quick march!

Photo: -DARREN ROBINSON

WORKSHOP: The Band of The King’s Division teach pupils. Back, from left, Cpl John Bailey, L/Cpl Perry O’Brien, Cpl Wayne Filer, L/Cpl Martin Leech, L/Cpl John Pearson and Cpl Pete May

PUPILS at a Saddleworth School were blown away when an Army band arrived to give them their marching orders.

The Band of the King’s Division marched to Diggle Primary School and treated pupils to a performance, then held music workshops and got the pupils to march along with them.

Teacher Kate Wilson said: “The pupils were really excited before the band arrived and they clearly all loved it. The band played a concert in the morning and held workshops with the children who play brass or percussion instruments. In the afternoon some of the children played in front of the whole school.”

Year six pupil William Yarwood (10), who plays the cornet, said: “I really liked the marching outside and the performance at the start of the day was really good.

“I played in front of the whole school at the end of the day as well and I really enjoyed that.”

All pupils in the school’s year three class are currently being taught how to play a brass instrument.

And the class teacher and teaching assistant are also learning and have a lesson every week alongside the pupils.

Ms Wilson added: “For a school our size the number of pupils that play instruments is rather impressive. I think that really made the band’s visit extra special.”