ONE of the North West's top school teachers has called for music to be a core subject in primary schools.

Christine Charnock has decided to retire after 34 years of teaching - 19 of which she has spent at Turton and Edgworth Primary School.

And the Darwen teacher, who recently won a regional Lifetime Achievement Award for her work, took the opportunity to say she believes more emphasis should be put on the quality of music in the curriculum.

Mrs Charnock, 55, has transformed the music section of the school and her efforts have led to her being put forward for the National Teaching Awards finals in London, on October 24. She said: "Music should be a core subject in primary schools. Its links with numeracy and literacy are immense.

"Youngsters calculate timing and beats in the music, while rhyming links to the literacy skills.

"I don't think enough emphasis was put on it in the past. Now the Government is realising this.

"I teach music theory as well and this year 16 pupils passed Grade One and more than half got distinction. Fifty of the Key Stage Two pupils are in a music group playing instruments.

"We have even got four teachers playing in the orchestra learning with the pupils. That's the thing I'm most proud of. I have set up a brass band this year and there will be 16 pupils learning a brass instrument next year."

Mrs Charnock has now officially retired but will return to the school two days a week in the new term to support the music activities.

She was described as 'an exemplar of her profession with unbeatable classroom skills' by judges at the regional teaching awards.

She said: "I was astounded to be nominated as it was out of the blue. The thought of the London ceremony is nerve-wracking.

"I am looking forward to it, but I see it as a whole school thing. I can only be who I am because of the support I get."