A TALENTED young singer from a Chester school is celebrating after winning a choral scholarship.

Sophie Lewis-Jones, a Year 6 pupil at Grosvenor Park CofE Academy, was put through a series of stringent auditions which included singing a pre-prepared piece and performing a piece she had never seen before.

The Chester Cathedral chorister has aspirations to become a classical singer, has also gained her London School of Music Grade 3, with a score of 83 per cent, in musical theatre, singing and playing the piano.

Sophie is now preparing to start at Abbey Gate College, Saighton, in September.

Rob Benson, music specialist and teaching assistant at Grosvenor Park, said: “Sophie has been exceptional.

"Year 6 have just performed ‘Billy Elliot’ where Sophie was the lead - she was absolutely fantastic.

“We start music tuition from as early an age as we can at Grosvenor Park.

“The children take part in Christmas production and a summer production every year which allows them to grow in confidence. There isn’t a single child in our school that couldn’t go on to a stage to sing, perform and dance.

“Music is proven to have massive cross curricular links and our strong music teaching helps to create happy children, which is always lovely to see.”

The Chester primary is part of North West Academies Trust (NWAT), which prides itself on the extensive and diverse extra-curricular provision within its schools.

Steve Docking, CEO of NWAT, said: “With the extra opportunities children are given to shine, we see them grow in confidence, which helps them in all aspects of school life.”