Sutton school in TV battle for windfall

It is one of six organisations that have been shortlisted to vie for the public vote and lottery cash in The People’s Millions 2013 TV competition for the region.

Each night for three nights, from November 25, two groups will bid for viewers’ support in a telephone vote on the ITV evening news programme.

There are three £50,000 awards on offer, plus a bonus award for the runner-up with the most votes across the week.

The school will appear on Monday, November 25, and will be up against Ryedale Folk Museum.

It wants the cash for its Sutton’s Got Brass scheme to create a community brass band, which will be based at the school but membership will be open to all.

Headteacher Fiona Beetles said: “During the summer holiday we submitted a bid to form a community brass band based in our school.

“Brass playing is part of the musical heritage of our area and we want local children and their families to have the opportunity to play in a community brass band based in our village.”

Fifteen staff members and all the children in year four are learning a brass instrument and many of the youngsters spoke about their enthusiasm for getting the chance to become part of a brass band.

Pupil Alice Horner said: “I feel really proud that I am playing a brass instrument because not everyone gets this amazing opportunity.”

And fellow student Matthew Holmes said: “I’ve always wanted to be part of a brass band because my granddad used to play the trumpet in Skipton Prize Band.”

Oli Batey added: “I never imagined that I would be in a brass band but now I am and I am really proud of this.”

Filming for the news programme will take place at the school today.

Mrs Beetles is encouraging everyone to call in and vote when the voting phone number is released on November 25.

To find out more about Sutton’s Got Brass, visit the school’s website at wherelearnersgrow.co.uk. Facebook and Twitter accounts are also being set up to support the school’s project.