A choir from a Newham school has performed a Commonwealth Anthem at a venue that was once the residence of King Edward VII.

The youngsters from St Winefride’s School in Manor Park were led by Alice Mason from the Newham Academy of Music at Marlborough House in central London. Their performance was part of the Commonwealth Education Programme which hosted an evening to launch a CD recording of music by Paul Carroll.

Paul, who studied at the Newham Academy of Music, began his composition career at school in Newham and at the academy. Now a busy professional performer and composer, he has continued his association with the academy and is a renowned expert on baroque flute, oboe, recorder and bassoon.

St Winefride’s school also has a lively and engaged music department. In its last OFSTED visit, the inspector praised the “very effective team-teaching that has developed between staff from Newham Music Trust and class teachers.”

Helen Pree, music co-ordinator, runs a wide variety of musical events and lessons at the school including guitar, choirs, recorders and violin.

Paul Carroll said: “I owe an enormous amount to Newham and especially the Newham Academy of Music which over the years has done so much to provide a sound music education to the children of the borough. The choir from St Winefride’s were exemplary and showed what the children of Newham can do. They were a credit to the parents and to the borough.”

Helen Pree said: “It was a joy to see the children come to school the next day with so much enthusiasm, bursting to tell me all about the experience and how it inspired them to take their music development further in all sorts of ways.”

Paul Underwood, head teacher of St. Winefride’s said “To perform so professionally at such a prestigious event made me very proud of our children. They were a credit to our school and have learnt so much from our music coordinator and the Newham Academy of Music.”