A COLCHESTER school’s music class is standing out from the crowd, with all 32 learning to play a stringed instrument at the same time.

Frances Booker, headteacher at St Teresa’s School in Claremont Road, Colchester, said the Year 5 music class was extremely unusual, as all the pupils have taken up either the cello, violin or viola.

Once a week they practice together, then take their instruments, provided by the school, home to practice.

“I have never heard of all of the pupils in a class at a school all taking up a stringed instrument,” said Mrs Booker.

“It is amazing in itself that all of them even want to learn to play something, as usually we have a few who would rather not.

“Some are having private lessons and others are just learning in school. It looks very striking when they are all playing together, like their own orchestra.”

She said under the guidance of teacher Peter Ivey, the class had already mastered Hot Cross Buns and were now aiming to learn Frere Jacques in three parts ready for the summer concert.